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QNA
Singapore
A year into an economic and transport blockade imposed by its neighbours, Qatar has emerged stronger than ever, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defense Affairs HE Dr Khalid bin Mohammed al Attiyah has said.
Speaking at the Shangri-La Security Conference in Singapore on Sunday, Attiyah said the siege was aimed at weakening Qatar's economy and status in the world but it has failed.
"We were able to weather the storm and we came out stronger than ever," Attiyah said, adding that the Qatari economy was booming and national products, including medicines and food, had significantly grown.
The blockade is"unjust and unlawful', Attiyah stated, describing it as a"blatant violation of international rules". But the country has managed to survive thanks to new alliances, he continued.
On terrorism, he said,"The cancer of terrorism will spread and destroy every healthy cell on its way. The Middle East has suffered from this malignant phenomenon for decades."
He further stressed the importance of working to support and uphold the rule of law and maintain the values of human rights and freedom, noting that"these fundamental values unite us against our enemies".
With regard to the tensions between the US and Iran, he said the US is too wise to engage in military intervention in Iran, stressing that it is much better to solve the problems at the negotiating table.
Qatar is hosting 10,000 US troops stationed at sprawling Al Udeid airbase as part of its campaign against the Islamic State.
