Qatar and France have called for guaranteeing freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and enforcing the ceasefire in Gaza, following a meeting between Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and French President Emmanuel Macron in Doha.
In a joint statement issued on Wednesday, the two leaders stressed the importance of restoring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz "without constraints or tolls."
Earlier, on Tuesday, Qatari mediator Ibrahim bin Sultan Al Hashmi said diplomatic efforts were under way to reduce regional tensions and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, on Wednesday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi declared that "Iran is ready to give diplomacy another chance."
According to the Qatar-France joint statement, "the two leaders condemned Iran's military attacks on countries in the region, describing them as a serious violation of international law."
Enforcing the "agreed arrangements"
The two leaders also called on Israel to withdraw its forces from Gaza "in line with the agreements already reached," and demanded that humanitarian aid be delivered urgently, safely and without obstruction, "without conditions or restrictions."
On Monday, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) said about 1.4 million people in Gaza, roughly two-thirds of the population, are facing severe food insecurity at crisis level or worse.
The joint statement added: "France and Qatar reaffirm their opposition to any annexation of the West Bank, and call for an end to Israel's settlement policy and settler violence."
On Lebanon, the two countries support the full implementation of the trilateral framework agreement aimed at restoring Lebanon's sovereignty, disarming Hezbollah and ensuring a complete Israeli withdrawal.
They also warned of the risk of a security vacuum once the United Nations peacekeeping mission ends its mandate, and called for continued international support for Lebanon's government and armed forces.
On Syria, both countries said they were ready to coordinate with the Syrian authorities to support stabilization and economic recovery projects.
Beyond regional issues, Qatar and France agreed to expand cooperation on defense, security and the economy.
Macron's regional tour, which includes Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, is aimed at strengthening strategic and economic partnerships and supporting efforts to restore regional stability and freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
