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QNA/AFP
Brussels
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al Thani has called on the international community to condemn the attempts to manipulate humanitarian aid in Syria and to ensure the protection of civilians and not to use them for political blackmail.
Addressing a panel discussion on the humanitarian aspect of the second Brussels Conference on Supporting the Future of Syria and the Region on Wednesday, Sheikh Mohammed said there are many issues related to this crisis, the most important of which are the protection of civilians and the way this war has been conducted.
Criticising the lack of respect for the rules of war in Syria and the region and the ensuing mass killings, Sheikh Mohammed said,"We believe that our responsibility to protect civilians is far greater than ensuring humanitarian passage where humanitarian aid is delivered. It is how to stop the mass murder in this war."
The FM said nearly 3 million Syrians are unable to access humanitarian aid. It is important to ensure that those people are not used for political blackmail, he added.
Sheikh Mohammed urged the international community to condemn any attempt to manipulate humanitarian aid.
The world has failed to find a political solution in the seven years the Syrian crisis has been dragging on, he noted.
The FM called on the international community to focus more on the young generation and their future by providing hope and education so they are not exposed to extremism.
International donors on Wednesday pledged $4.4 billion in aid for civilians caught up in the Syrian civil war.
The sum committed at the conference in Brussels was less than half of the $9 billion the United Nations says is needed this year to help those in need inside Syria and living as refugees in neighbouring countries.
Qatar has pledged $100 million in aid to alleviate the sufferings of civilians.
Sheikh Mohammed announced the aid in continuation of Qatar's commitment to alleviate the sufferings of innocent civilians.
"As part of Qatar's pledge to support the oppressed people of Syria, Doha continues to commit itself to alleviating the impact of the Syrian humanitarian disaster," Sheikh Mohammed said.
And given Qatar's strategy of building peace and stability through education, 50 percent of the grant will be allocated for education of Syrian students (both inside the country and abroad), he added.
