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POL-QATAR-US-FORUM
Qatari FM calls for respecting Palestinians' democratic
choice of leadership
DOHA, Feb 18 (KUNA) -- Qatari First Deputy Prime Minister
and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem Al-Thani
on Saturday called the international community for
respecting the Palestinian people's democratic choice of
leadership.
In his opening speech of the US-Islamic World Forum, held
with the participation of 38 countries and the United
States, Sheikh Hamad said that Qatar welcomed the
responsible spirit of the Palestinian people during the
elections, which was the result of democracy that we all
desire to spread in the region.
He added that serious stands should be taken to solve issues
in the Middle East, such as establishing democracy, which
calls for recognizing the results of practicing democracy.
Sheikh Hamad stressed that Islam does not justify any hatred
toward the United States as Islam is moderate and peaceful
religion, expressing objection for targeting the Islamic
world due to the stands of some groups taken for political
purposes, not religious ones.
He stressed the importance of exerting all efforts to insure
respect for all religions and religious beliefs without any
discrimination or double standards.
He also stressed the importance of working actively to solve
the Palestinian issue and other conflicts in the region,
such as the situation in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and the
Iranian nuclear file. -- Meanwhile, US Undersecretary of
State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs Karen Hughes
in a speech before the forum praised the results of the
Palestinian elections, congratulating the Palestinians for
holding free, transparent, and honest elections.
The official added that Palestinians wanted to speak out,
look for better services, eliminate corruption, and live in
peace, calling on the new upcoming Palestinian government to
accept the commitments and agreements signed by the outgoing
government, including the road map peace plan, Israel's
right for existence, and abandoning violence and terror.
The official noted that the US believes in elections even if
it does not agree with those elected, and believes in
freedom of speech even if it gets disturbed by what is said.
(end) ma.att.
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KUNA 190003 Feb 06NNNN |
