'Saudi-led blockade united us,' Qataris say ahead of National Day celebrations

Qataris have said that a Saudi-led blockade has made the country stronger and more united as ever, as Doha prepares for National Day celebrations on Monday.

The foreign ministry's information office Director Ahmed bin Saeed al-Rumaihi, said this year's celebrations will be a testament to Qatar's steadfastness in the face of the "unjust siege" by Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt and Bahrain.

"We have maintained our sovereignty and dignity. We have rediscovered our great potential and firmly established excellent relations with the world's nations to overcome the blockade," Rumaihi told The New Arab on Sunday.

The senior diplomat said the Saudi-led bloc's attempts to smear Doha's reputation internationally had also failed.

"They have been defeated by the loyal Qatari people rallying behind the emir. This celebration is an important event to confirm the strong bond between the people and the leadership," Rumaihi said.

"We have the right to be optimistic about the future. The celebrations will add momentum to our projects and plans, which the blockading states have tried to hamper," he added.

Since 5 June, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt have diplomatically isolated Qatar, accusing the gas-rich emirate of supporting Islamist extremists and of being too close to Iran, Riyadh's arch-rival.

The four countries also cut off all air and sea links to Qatar.

Doha denies the allegations and instead accused the Saudi-led bloc of aiming to incite regime change in Doha.

Qatari media personality Jaber al-Harmi predicted that the first National Day celebrations since the start of the blockade will see a large turn-out.

"We have not been affected by the siege. Life has continued as it was before, which reaffirms that Qatar has become stronger because of it," Harmi said.

The annual celebrations on 18 December, which mark the founding of the state in 1878, usually involve a parade in the centre of the capital Doha, dancing, and a huge fireworks display.

Last year, Qatar's emir cancelled National Day celebrations in solidarity with the people of Syria's war-ravaged Aleppo.