‘World cannot afford to accept status quo in regional crisis’

Doha, Qatar: Dr. Majed bin Mohammed Al-Ansari, advisor to the Prime Minister and official spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, warned that the ongoing closure of the Strait of Hormuz could lead to further regional escalation. He urged all parties to engage in wisdom and resume negotiations to prevent a worsening of the situation.

Al-Ansari emphasized that Gulf countries have proven their ability to navigate past crises due to their leadership, economic resilience, and international standing. However, he stressed that Qatar and the region cannot accept the current status quo, as the consequences of the ongoing crisis extend far beyond the Middle East. Reduced crop yields, pharmaceutical industry impacts due to helium scarcity, and energy shortages could affect economies worldwide.

The closures have even impacted households in distant regions that have no direct connection to the crisis. The spokesperson highlighted that recent visits by Gulf leaders, including to Iran, Oman, and Pakistan, aimed at supporting mediation efforts to de-escalate tensions and resume negotiations. He cautioned against treating the closure of the Strait of Hormuz as an inevitable outcome, as it could trigger further conflict and negatively impact all parties involved.

Al-Ansari also rejected claims of declining Gulf influence, asserting that the GCC states maintain a strong position in international politics and the global economy, actively engaged in mediation and conflict resolution. When asked about Israeli actions in Gaza and other regions, he called for global attention to Israel's actions and urged countries to hold Israel accountable for its behavior.

Al-Ansari reiterated Qatar's commitment to supporting the aspirations of the Libyan people in building a stable and inclusive state, emphasizing the importance of a "Libyan-Libyan" solution to the Libyan conflict.