Qatar's emir criticises US, UN for failing Syrian people

Qatar's emir has criticised the UN system and the paralysis of the international community in the face of the Syrian civil war and other conflicts.

He also criticised US policy on Syria.

"Theoretically, the majority of the countries of the world stood by the Syrian people, but practically they were left alone supported only by some loyal friends," Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani told the UN General Assembly on Tuesday.

He added that "red lines were set for the regime who has violated them, yet those who demarcated those lines have not felt provoked to raise a finger."

"The red line continued to be shifted until the regime became aware of the fact that there is no ceiling for what it could perpetrate without accountability," Tamim said.

The emir was referencing US President Barack Obama's failure to take action against the Assad regime, following its use of chemical weapons against rebels and civilians near Damascus in 2013.

In August 2013, Obama abruptly canceled plans for US airstrikes he had vowed to order if Assad's forces crossed a "red line" and used chemical weapons.

This followed a deal sponsored by Russia to dismantle Assad's chemical stockpiles.

Qatar is a fierce critic of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad and has supported the rebellion against his regime.

Agencies contributed