DOHA, March 24 (Xinhua) -- Qatar's Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed Al-Ansari said Tuesday the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran has undermined regional security in the Gulf, calling for a reassessment of collective security arrangements.
Speaking at a media briefing, Majed Al-Ansari said the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has taken steps to strengthen joint defensive cooperation among member states since Israel attacked Qatar last summer, adding that existing defense partnerships had proven effective in shaping much of the current defensive posture.
He stressed the importance of a unified position among Gulf states and at a broader regional level.
Al-Ansari warned of the conflict's economic implications, saying it posed risks to people, infrastructure and regional stability.
He called for immediate diplomatic negotiations, "whether through official or unofficial channels," to reach a resolution.
"Any resolution to this war, and any agreement that emerges from it, must take into account the national interests of the countries affected," he said.
Al-Ansari said Qatar was not involved in any U.S.-Iran talks, as its priority remained "defending our country and addressing the consequences of the various attacks."
He said Iran was a neighboring country, noting the Gulf's deep historical ties with regional states spanning "thousands of years."
Al-Ansari stressed the need for a framework for peaceful coexistence, adding that Iranian attacks against Qatar were inconsistent with the principles of good neighborly relations. ■
