Responding to accusations from various officials and media outlets that Qatar funds terrorism, the country’s foreign minister said that his nation has not supported extremists in any way, and is working like many others to help end ongoing violence in the region.

In his first opinion piece for the Huffington Post France edition, Dr. Khalid bin Mohammed Al Attiyah said “there is no single answer” to ending sectarian violence in Iraq and Syria, but added that it was imperative to cut funds to extremist groups in the region.

He continued, as translated into English:

“In this context, and in response to uninformed comments, I would like to reiterate the position of Qatar with the greatest clarity.

Qatar does not endorse any extremist group in any way. We are shocked by their opinions, their violent methods and ambitions. The vision for the region of extremist groups is not ours and we will never support them in any way whatsoever.”

Criticism

Al Attiyah’s remarks come days after German officials said they “regretted” accusing the Gulf state of supporting extremists, and shortly after Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations called Qatar “a Club Med for terrorists” due to its ties with Palestinian faction Hamas.

Al Attiyah made no reference in his piece to either criticism, but did say:

“I know some people misunderstand our foreign policy or have only a one-sided view of the conflict. I guess it is this anger that led them to make false and frivolous accusations in order to promote their own agendas and undermine our foreign policy.

Qatar does not support the Islamic state, and to suggest otherwise obscures our efforts to promote peace, security and stability in a region that is subject to an endless cycle of conflict and tragedy. It is this cycle that Qatar wants to see end.”

Thoughts?