UN to open counterterrorism program office in Qatar

DOHA, Qatar

The United Nations and Qatar on Wednesday finalized an agreement to establish an office in Doha for a UN counterterrorism program.

The UNOCT Programme Office on Parliamentary Engagement will serve as a hub for research, knowledge, and capacity-building, leveraging on innovation and partnerships to enhance support to parliamentarians worldwide, according to a joint statement issued after the signing.

The agreement was inked by Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid Al Mahmoud, speaker of Qatar’s Shura Council, and Vladimir Voronkov, under-secretary general of the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism.

“Qatar is making every effort to assist parliamentarians worldwide in their noble task to save humanity from the scourge of terrorism,” Al Mahmoud said.

He said preparations are underway to open the office and set an action plan in cooperation with the UN.

Vornkov, for his part, appreciated Qatar's role in combating terrorism.

This counterterrorism project with the UN development lends credence to Doha’s stance over accusations by regional rivals that it supports terrorist groups.

Qatar has consistently denied the allegations that were raised by Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, and Egypt when they severed diplomatic relations with Doha and imposed a land, sea, and air blockade in 2017.

* Ahmed Asmar contributed to this report from Ankara