Fiji clarifies Qatar’s assistance

The Fijian Government states that it is grateful to the Government of Qatar for its efforts in the release of the 45 soldiers captured by the Jab-hat Al Nusra militants in Syria.

Foreign Affairs Minister Ratu Inoke Kubuabola who last week met with his Qatari counterpart Dr Khalid bin Mohammed al Atti-yah said that during their meeting in Doha, Dr Khalid promised him that they will spare no efforts in making sure that the Fijian  soldiers are released safely.

Kubuabola said the Government of Qatar’s intention to assist in the release of the 45 soldiers who were captured by the Al Nusra Front was on humanitarian grounds.

He said that was the assurance he got from his Qatari counterpart.

Kubuabola said the Qatari Minister told him that he will have good news within 24 hours and sure enough it was.

Qatar has paid ransom in the past in the release of 13 nuns and also for the release of US journalist Peter Curtis.

Overseas media reports have said that Syrian opposition sources said on Saturday that Qatar paid Al Nusra a ransom of $20 million in return for the release of the soldiers.

The report came a day after the Qatari Foreign Ministry issued a statement saying that it had helped to secure the release of the peacekeepers following the request of the government of Fiji.

Qatar said it had acted on “humanitarian” grounds, and that did not hesitate to mobilise all its means and diplomatic channels to save lives.