Doha (TDI): In a region beset by conflicts from Afghanistan to Gaza, Qatar on Sunday emphasized that lasting stability can only be achieved through inclusive political engagement, including dialogue with non-state actors.
Speaking at the 23rd Doha Forum, Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani said that meaningful peace requires direct communication with all parties involved in a conflict, even armed groups often shunned by Western governments.
Moderated by US journalist Tucker Carlson, Sheikh Mohammed stressed that crises in Afghanistan, Palestine, and beyond cannot be resolved if key actors on the ground are excluded. “You cannot reach a solution if you have no one speaking to non-state actors,” he said.
Qatar has played a central role in mediating between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban, among other conflicts. Sheikh Mohammed highlighted that the country’s long-standing approach to mediation underpins its work in facilitating ceasefires and peace talks, from the Afghan peace process to repeated humanitarian pauses in Gaza.
He noted that Qatar’s engagement with Hamas began over a decade ago at the request of the United States, establishing a reliable channel for communication, ceasefires, and humanitarian aid, The Express Tribune reported.
Similarly, the Taliban’s political office in Doha, set up in 2013, was also opened at Washington’s request during the conflict in Afghanistan. These efforts, Sheikh Mohammed said, led to the Doha Agreement and the eventual US withdrawal from Afghanistan.
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Addressing allegations that Qatari funds in Gaza were diverted to Hamas, Sheikh Mohammed insisted that all aid went directly to civilians in a fully transparent process, coordinated with Israel. He criticized political actors exploiting the situation for short-term gains.
He outlined tangible outcomes of Qatar’s mediation, including multiple ceasefires, hostage releases, humanitarian pauses, and evacuation arrangements.
The Doha Forum this year brought together over 5,000 delegates from 162 countries, including heads of state, ministers, and global policy experts, to discuss conflict resolution, humanitarian crises, economic instability, and global governance.
Sheikh Mohammed also condemned the Israeli strike on Qatari territory in September, calling it an unprecedented violation of diplomatic norms. He revealed that US President Donald Trump had expressed frustration and disappointment over the attack, recognizing Qatar’s facilitation efforts.
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Discussing Gaza’s post-conflict situation, Sheikh Mohammed reiterated Qatar’s commitment to humanitarian support but argued that reconstruction should be the responsibility of those who caused the destruction. He criticized the international community for a “double standard,” pointing to the expectation for Russia to fund Ukraine’s rebuilding while Israel has largely avoided accountability for Gaza.
He strongly opposed any forced displacement of Palestinians, affirming that residents should have the right to remain in their homeland. “I don’t see anyone has the right to deport them or force them to go somewhere else,” he said, underscoring that Palestinians should not be treated as people to be “reshuffled or relocated” at the convenience of regional powers.
