LOC22:53
19:53 GMT
WASHINGTON, Sept 10 (KUNA) -- Qatari Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Jassim Al-Thani described on Wednesday the Israeli attack on Qatar as "state terrorism," accusing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of working to eliminate any opportunity for peace and stability in the Middle East.
This came during an interview with CNN, amid growing international condemnation and outrage over the recent Israeli strike on Qatar.
"I cannot find the words to express our anger over this act. It is state terrorism. We have been betrayed," Sheikh Mohammed said.
He said that Netanyahu's actions destroyed any remaining hope for the hostages in Gaza, stressing that their families had placed their trust in Qatari mediation efforts to reach a ceasefire between the two sides. "They had no other hope," he noted.
"All details of the meeting were well known to both the Israelis and the Americans. It is not something we are hiding," he affirmed, stressing that "there is no justification to label this as harboring terrorism."
Sheikh Mohammed said the Israeli Prime Minister was "undermining any chance for stability and peace" by targeting Hamas leaders in the Qatari capital, Doha. He accused Netanyahu of not being serious about mediation efforts, saying, "He was wasting our time."
He also reiterated that Netanyahu, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC), "must be brought to justice," adding, "It is absurd for someone like him to lecture others on the laws of war while he violates every principle of international law."
Sheikh Mohammed firmly rejected Netanyahu's threats, saying Qatar "will not accept such intimidation," and condemned the Israeli leader for "violating international law and starving the people of Gaza." He called for a "real and serious" response from the region in the face of such threats. (end)
amm.onm