Qatar: Ties with Russia Strong, Taliban Must Be Part of any Afghan Solution

Qatar branded as "regrettable" on Saturday an airport attack on Russia's ambassador last month, saying ties with Moscow were solid although Russia downgraded relations with the Gulf state.

"Our relations with Russia are solid, strong and important and this regrettable incident will not affect them," Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem al-Thani told reporters on the sidelines of an Arab League meeting on the Syria crisis.

Concerning Afghanistan’s decision to pull its ambassador from the Gulf state, in protest at being left out of talks over the opening of a Taliban office there, the premier said that the Taliban must be part of any resolution to the Afghanistan conflict.

"The Russian ambassador exceeded some limits but he was not humiliated and we have the proof," said Sheikh Hamad, who is also foreign minister.

On December 5, the Russian foreign ministry said it was downgrading its relations with Qatar following an airport attack on its ambassador.

It said the envoy "was attacked by security and customs personnel" who were trying to strip him of his diplomatic bag.

"As a result of their aggressive behavior, the Qatar side's actions damaged the ambassador's health," the statement said.

Russia demanded an official apology from Qatar for the November 29 incident, noting that senior Doha officials had been "informed about the decision to downgrade relations with Qatar."

The statement said the ambassador, V. E. Titorenko, would be recalled to Russia "once he completes treatment".

On Afghanistan Sheikh Hamad said: "A solution in Afghanistan requires the participation of the Taliban in a way that must be decided by the Afghans.”

"That requires talking to them," he added, without being drawn on precisely why Afghanistan recalled its ambassador on Wednesday.

A high-ranking Afghan official has said that while Kabul approved of the move, it was withdrawing its envoy in protest at not being consulted.

Afghanistan "has had brotherly relations with the government of Qatar, which it thanks for its cooperation on the reconstruction of Afghanistan," the foreign ministry said.

"But regarding recent developments in Afghanistan and in the region, including Afghanistan's relations with Qatar, the Afghan government has decided to recall its ambassador Khaled Ahmad Zekerya from Doha for the purpose of some consultations."

An office of the self-styled Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan would be the first internationally recognized representation for the Taliban since it was ousted from power by the U.S.-led invasion of Afghanistan in 2001.

Western diplomats have said it is hoped the opening of a Taliban office would push forward the prospect of talks intended to reconcile insurgents with the Afghan government and end the decade-long war.

The idea of such an office has been discussed several times, with Turkey having previously been mentioned as a possible host, as well as Qatar.