From: Biniam Tekle (biniamt@dehai.org)
Date: Thu Jun 10 2010 - 08:23:06 EDT
Djibouti hails Qatar’s mediation efforts
QNA/Doha
Djibouti’s Prime Minister Dileita Mohamed Dileita has lauded the mediation
efforts made by HH the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani that led to
the signing of a peace agreement between Djibouti and Eretria, voicing his
satisfaction over the arrival of Qatari forces and observers to Djibouti in
a bid to settle the border dispute with Eretria.
In an interview with Qatari daily Al Sharq, published yesterday, Dileita
said that Qatar was known in the Middle East for its fair mediation and was
successful in reconciling between the Lebanese parties and is currently
working to find a solution to the Darfur conflict.
He pointed out that the Emir, within the framework of the relations that
Qatar enjoys with both Djibouti and Eretria, has been working hard to settle
the border dispute between the two countries.
The Emir held phone conversations with Djibouti’s president and delegated,
as well HE the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim
bin Jabor al-Thani to Djibouti, with a package of proposals aimed at finding
solutions to the dispute with Eretria. Later, this resulted in the singing
of the agreement by the presidents of Djibouti and Eretria, Ismael Omar
Guelleh and Isaias Afwerki, respectively.
Djibouti’s premier reiterated his country’s desire to normalise ties with
Eretria, expressing his confidence in the Emir’s ability and wisdom in
ending the dispute between the two countries, praising at the same time
Qatar’s diplomacy that qualifies it for playing a major role in
accomplishing peace and security in the middle east and globally.
Djibouti’s Foreign Minister Mahmoud Ali Youssef said that the Eritrean
forces had started withdrawing from the disputed areas, adding that Qatari
troops had arrived in both countries to takeover its mission as observers.
Youssef appreciated the Emir’s initiative to solve the issue during the Arab
Summit in Libya, which he said was immediately accepted by President Ismael
Omar Guelleh of Djibouti, adding that Djibouti has been for more than two
years seeking peacefully solution to the dispute.
Meanwhile, in New York UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon welcomed the
agreement signed by Eritrea and Djibouti, under the auspices of Qatar, to
resolve their two-year border dispute through a negotiated settlement.
The secretary-general expresses his deep appreciation for the mediation
efforts of HH the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani.
“The Secretary-General is encouraged by this positive development, which he
believes will contribute to long-term peace and stability in the Horn of
Africa region.”
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