Doha - Media Office - 10 September Qatar expressed its regret over the announcement by the US administration that the PLO office in Washington DC was closed. The State Department said in a statement today that the closure of the office would increase Israel's intransigence, and encourage it to continue its internationally rejected practices, and at the same time distance the US administration and the PLO from international efforts to revive the peace process to reach a comprehensive and just peace agreement between Palestinians and Israelis. The Foreign Ministry reiterated the firm position of the State of Qatar on the Palestinian issue, based on the resolutions of international legitimacy and the Arab peace initiative, based on a two-state solution to ensure the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the 1967 borders, with Jerusalem as its capital.

HE the Ambassador participated, at the invitation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cuba, on 6 September 2018, in the meeting of heads of diplomatic missions accredited in Havana and representatives of international organizations, with HE the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Cuba, Mr. Bruno Rodríguez, to submit the report on resolution 4/27 on “the Necessity of Ending the Economic, Commercial and Financial American Embargo Against Cuba”. In his speech, the Cuban minister noted that relations with its neighbor declined after President Donald Trump came to power. He said that the report submitted by his government covers the period from April 2017 to March 2018, referring to the Extraterritorial violations affecting the relations of Cuba with third countries and violations of all international conventions. He explained that the total economic damage to his country as a result of the embargo during the period mentioned amounted to 933.678 million dollars. He addressed the accusations against his country over the alleged audio attacks and the US administration's reduction of its diplomatic mission in Havana, completely denying the accusations. He affirmed that the Cuban government's decision is to raise the resolution at the 73rd session of the UN General Assembly in New York. Finally, he appealed to the heads of diplomatic missions to transmit this information to their governments, in support of the Cuban decision to end the embargo.

The agreement to cancel visa requirements for holders of private and service passports between the Government of the State of Qatar and the Government of the Republic of Cuba came into force as of August 2018.

HE, Mr. Rashid Mairza Al Mulla, met with HE Mr. Hector Igarza, Director of North Africa and the Middle East Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, at his office in the ministry, on Thursday, 30/08/2018. The two sides exchanged views on bilateral relations and issues of mutual interest.

HE, the Ambassador, Mr. Rashed Mairza Al Mulla, received at the Embassy on Wednesday 29/08/2018 HE Mr. Rafael Melo, Director of the Division of Africa and Middle East, of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Dominican Republic. The two sides exchanged bilateral relations and means of enhancing them and issues of Common interest.

DOHA- QANA: An official source at Qatar's Foreign Ministry expressed Qatar's surprise at the statements made by the Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Dr. Abdul Latif Zayani, on the current diplomatic crisis between Saudi Arabia and Canada. The source said that these statements do not reflect the views of the State of Qatar, adding that what brings together the State of Qatar and Canada are strong relations that extend for decades. He also stressed the need to protect the right of States and international organizations to express their views, particularly when it came to violations of human rights and freedom of expression.

His Excellency Ambassador Rashid Mirza Al Mulla received His Excellency Mr. Eumelio Caballero Rodriguez, Ambassador of the Republic of Cuba in the State of Qatar, on Thursday 02 August 2018. The two sides exchanged views on bilateral relations and issues of mutual interest.

Doha, Aug. 01 (QNA) - The Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs said that in light of the increasing media campaigns that claim that the State of Qatar has banned its citizens from performing Hajj, the Ministry confirms that these allegations are in fact defiant and appear to be a continuation of the use of pilgrimage for political purposes, which has not stopped since the declaration of the siege on the State of Qatar on 5 June 2017. The Ministry confirmed in a statement today that it had been contacting the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah in Saudi Arabia and explained all the difficulties faced by Qataris and residents in the State of Qatar and called for solutions, adding that the land port is still closed to Qatari pilgrims and residents. The air blckade remains standing, in addition to the obstacles related to the issuance of Hajj visas to residents of Qatar. The ministry stressed that the previous factors and their effects will be reflected negatively on the safety and security of pilgrims. The statement concluded by inviting the authorities in Saudi Arabia to abide by religious decrees on political decisions.

The United States commends Qatar’s ongoing support for peace in Afghanistan, and welcomes yesterday’s engagement between the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defense Affairs HE Dr Khalid bin Mohamed Al Attiyah and Department of State South and Central Asian Affairs Senior Bureau Official Alice Wells. The two officials discussed recent progress toward an Afghan-owned, and Afghan-led peace process, and pledged to continue both countries’ efforts toward combating terrorism and promoting regional peace and stability. Senior Bureau Official Wells welcomed the Qatari government’s support for the cease-fire last month in Afghanistan, and highlighted ‎the deep appreciation of the United States for the Qatari government’s constructive partnership and dedication to Afghanistan.

The Embassy of the State of Qatar held a ceremony in Havana, Cuba, on the occasion of the farewell of Mr. Rashid Abdullah Al Remaihi, the administrative attache at the Embassy, after a five-year stay in the embassy, and the reception of Mr. Ghanim Al-Ghanim, the third Secretary of the Embassy.