Qatar's prime minister calls for start of reforms in Syria

Qatar' prime minister has called for an end to the bloodshed in Syria and for a prompt start of reforms. "There should be immediate action to stop what is happening in Syria, as we see a toll of victims from various ages, including men, women and children,"  said Shaikh Hamad Bin Jassim Bin Jabor Al Thani. "Obviously, both sides are insisting on their stances, so we need to have a procedure to put an end to the situation. The Arab League has to assume its responsibilities," Shaikh Hamad, who is also his country's foreign minister, said in Kuwait City where he is taking part in the first meeting of the 10th Asian Cooperation Forum. The minister reiterated his call for an engagement in reforms immediately, Qatar News Agency (QNA) reported. Qatar was the first Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) country to pull out its ambassador in Damascus in mid-July after its embassy building was attacked by a mob reportedly upset over the coverage of the Doha-based Al Jazeera channel of the developments in the country. Despite apologies from Syria, Qatar did not re-open its embassy. In August, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Bahrain recalled their ambassadors in the Syrian capital "for consultations." The forum is Kuwait is discussing expanding joint investments among Asian countries and exploring opportunities to help fight poverty, improve the standard of living and enhance Asian countries competitiveness. The forum, set up in 2001 and comprising 31 countries besides the GCC six-member states, will also review the impact of the world economic crisis on Asia in the economic, trade, transport and environment sectors. Shaikh Hamad said that turning the forum into an organisation required further research and studies, but said that if the dialogue among Asian countries is used in the right way, it will boost benefits, facilitate inter-Asian procedures and increase trade between the participating countries.