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Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser Al Thani said the 15th Doha Forum aims to discuss issues ranging from democracy to development and free trade in the Middle East as well as critical political, economic, social, financial, strategic and human matters.

He was speaking after Qatari Deputy Amir Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani inaugurated the Forum and the 10th Enriching the Middle East's Economic Future conference on Monday.
"This annual international gathering will attempt to find peaceful solutions to the challenges and crises facing the Middle East and other parts of the world", Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser, also Interior Minister, said in his welcoming speech.

"Peace is the ideal strategic solution to the Middle East conflict. The region cannot enjoy security and stability without Israel ending the occupation of all Arab territories and acknowledging the Palestinians' right to statehood within the borderlines of June 4, 1967, with Jerusalem as their capital city as per the relevant UN resolutions", he stressed.
The failure of the UN Security Council to discharge its mandate in settling disputes led to collapse of the world's collective security system and widespread violence which, in turn, poses a serious threat to democracy and human rights, he argued.

Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser cited as example of the UNSC failures the exacerbating crisis in Syria and the inability of the international community to stop the atrocities being committed by the Syrian regime, including the chemical weapons attacks against the civilians.

He urged the UNSC to do whatever possible under the international humanitarian law to protect the Syrian people and realize their aspirations for security pursuant to the provisions of Geneva I declaration.
On terrorism, the Qatari prime minister said it jeopardizes the international peace and security as well as the economic gains of the targeted countries.

Nevertheless, there is dividing line between terrorism and the peoples' legitimate right to struggle for freedom and self-determination, he went on.

Regarding the quest for socio-economic development, Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser highlighted the crucial role of partnership between the public and private sectors, calling for more care to education, capacity building and entrepreneurship.

The opening ceremony also gathered Speaker of the Shura (Advisory) Council Mohammad bin Mubarak Al-Khulaifi, Kuwaiti Minister of Oil Ali Al-Omair, Iraqi Vice-President Iyad Allawi, Somali Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke and Tunisia's former president Moncef Marzouki, as well as a number of Sheikhs, ministers and diplomats accreted in Doha.

Al-Omair, also Minister of State for National Assembly Affairs, arrived in the Qatari capital earlier today, leading and official delegation to the Forum and the conference which last until May 13 under aegis of Qatari Amir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani.