Beirut: Lebanese political experts and analysts praised the speech delivered by HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani before the United Nations General Assembly, saying it embodied Doha's diplomatic role and conveyed the concerns of the Arab world through clear positions on regional and international issues, foremost among them the Palestinian cause, Lebanon, Syria, and Sudan.
According to Qatar News Agency, they said the Amir's speech reflects Qatar's firm commitment to working for peace and safeguarding regional stability. They noted that his strong positions against Israeli attacks, along with his calls to reinforce international legitimacy and respect for state sovereignty, provide a political reference point that reflects a clear and responsible vision, strengthening Qatar's standing as a trusted mediator and an active Arab voice on the global stage.
Lebanese journalist and Middle East affairs expert Tawfiq Shouman highlighted the importance of HH the Amir's affirmation of Qatar's continued diplomatic role worldwide, especially in the wake of the Israeli attack on Doha, which primarily targeted its function as an effective diplomatic mediator. Shouman said the speech underscored Israel's refusal to commit to negotiations, explaining that this refusal is at the heart of the attack on Qatar and the targeting of the Palestinian negotiating delegation on Qatari soil.
He added that HH the Amir stressed that Israel is not the democracy its leaders claim, but rather a hostile state toward its surroundings. According to Shouman, HH the Amir's words accurately captured Israel's aggressive reality, given its repeated attacks on Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, Iran, and now Qatar, and possibly other countries in the future.
Former Lebanese government coordinator with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) Brigadier General Munir Shehadeh said HH the Amir's address put the facts in plain view by highlighting Israel's crimes and violations of international law, particularly its targeting of Qatar as a mediator in efforts to end the war in Gaza, secure a ceasefire, and release hostages, while Israel responded with an attack. Shehadeh noted that HH the Amir's description of the attack as state terrorism captured the reality of Israel's violation of a sovereign state and its attempt to sabotage mediation efforts.
He also drew attention to HH the Amir's warning about Israeli plans to establish a so-called Greater Israel. Shehadeh further praised the Amir's call for Israel to withdraw from southern Lebanon and end its aggressions, as well as his references to the war in Sudan. He described the speech as comprehensive, addressing current Arab concerns and the latest regional developments.
He also commended the Amir's reaffirmation that Qatar will continue to play its diplomatic role as a mediator to resolve conflicts and halt wars, stressing that the country will remain an active partner in the international community in promoting peace and creating opportunities for global stability.
Brigadier General Bahaa Halal, a Lebanese researcher in strategic, military, and international relations, highlighted the importance of the speech by HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani. He said the address provided moral support to Palestinians and other Arab peoples seeking justice and served as an intellectual and political reference.
Halal noted that HH the Amir's remarks reflected the State of Qatar's prominent role in the international community and its effort to project itself as a mediator advocating dialogue and fair solutions rather than as a confrontational actor. He added that the speech underscored the State of Qatar's respect for international legitimacy and the rule of law, along with its warnings against ignoring United Nations obligations and international resolutions, stressing that the State of Qatar remains committed to supporting the values and principles on which the global community is built.
Lebanese writer and political analyst Mohammed Abdullah described HH the Amir's speech as a significant political moment that reaffirmed the State of Qatar's cohesion and determination to play a key role in promoting regional and global peace despite the Israeli attack. He said the address confirmed that Doha will remain a vital partner of the international community on the Palestinian issue. Abdullah added that attempts to sideline the State of Qatar from the Palestinian-Israeli negotiation track would fail, noting that Israel's attack on Doha was merely an attempt to undermine the negotiation process and drag the region toward escalation, an effort that was rejected by the UN Security Council and US President Donald Trump.
Abdullah also pointed out that the speech addressed the Syrian issue clearly, with the Amir emphasizing that restoring the Syrian state remains a fundamental concern. He said the State of Qatar views Syria not just as a battleground but as a country that must regain its unity and state institutions to protect the region from security and political risks.
Regarding Lebanon, Abdullah said HH the Amir's remarks carried clear messages of support, stressing Qatar's commitment to Lebanese legitimacy, the building of strong state institutions, and adherence to UN Resolution 1701. He noted that these messages were directed both at internal Lebanese factions and regional powers to affirm that Doha is not a partisan actor but supports any effort to restore the Lebanese state's authority and sovereignty.
He added that the speech served as more than a formal address, it was akin to a roadmap reaffirming Doha's central role in regional and international politics. In his view, Qatar has emerged from its own crises stronger and has proven, through balanced positions, that it is an indispensable pillar in any settlement concerning Palestine, Syria, or Lebanon, capable of turning challenges into opportunities to expand its influence.
Lebanese lawyer and political analyst Amin Bashir also praised HH the Amir's speech, noting that nothing would deter Qatar from fulfilling its role in pursuing peace wherever needed. He said HH the Amir reaffirmed Qatar's commitment to continue mediating efforts to end the war in Gaza, facilitate the entry of humanitarian aid to Palestinians, and secure the release of hostages. Bashir commended HH the Amir's remarks on Syria, including his hope that the Syrian people will achieve their aspirations under a new political framework that presents a historic opportunity for the country.
He also highlighted HH the Amir's emphasis on supporting Syria's unity, rejecting plans for its partition, and his calls for Israel's withdrawal from southern Lebanon and the reconstruction of affected areas, as well as his comments on the situation in Sudan. Bashir concluded that HH the Amir's speech carried the Arab cause to the international stage during the UN General Assembly's 80th session, stressing the importance of respecting the core values of the United Nations, particularly the sovereignty of states.
He also noted that HH the Amir's reference to Israel's blatant attack on the Palestinian negotiating delegation in Doha, which raised doubts about Israel's seriousness in pursuing negotiations and ending the war, given its targeting of those involved in talks and its attack on the mediating state working to halt the conflict in Gaza.