Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani
Qatar was among several regional states that backed rebels in Syria’s civil war and has previously spoken out against efforts by some countries to normalise ties with Damascus. The death toll in Turkey has risen to above 45 000, bringing the total toll including Syria to about 51 000. In Syria, the northwest region controlled by rebels at war with President Bashar al-Assad was the worst hit.
The United Nations has called for access by all parties in Syria, already devastated by years of civil war, in order to scale up aid deliveries.
Speak to Assad