Qatar 'prepared for dialogue' with conflicting Gulf states

Qatar is ready to hold dialogues with Gulf Arab countries that cut ties with it, Kuwait said, noting that the embattled Gulf state is prepared to listen to their concerns.

MENA

2 min read

The New Arab

11 June, 2017

Qatar has denied all allegations against it [Getty]

Qatar is prepared to hold dialogues with Gulf Arab countries that cut ties with it, Kuwait said, noting that the embattled Gulf state is ready to listen to their concerns.

Kuwait's foreign minister, Sheikh Sabah al-Khalid al-Sabah confirmed the comments on Sunday, according to its state-run KUNA news agency, in the latest shift to hit the ongoing diplomatic dispute.

"[Kuwait] affirms the readiness of the brothers in Qatar to understand the reality of the qualms and concerns of their brothers and to heed the noble endeavours to enhance security and stability," Kuwait's state-run KUNA news agency quoted Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah al-Khalid al-Sabah as saying on Sunday.

"Kuwait stresses the inevitability of solving this disagreement within the Gulf framework," he added.

Kuwait has been leading efforts to reconcile between the disputing parties since it escalated on Monday, after Saudi Arabia and its allies severed diplomatic ties with Doha for its alleged support of terrorism.

While Qatar vehemently denies these allegations, Kuwait announced its rejection of any decision being taken against Doha and has called on its official news agency and newspapers nationwide to not fall into the ongoing media war against Qatar.

Kuwait's Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah met with Saudi King Salman Abdulaziz just a day after the kingdom cut ties with Doha, before heading to Qatar to meet with Sheikh Tamim.

Qatar's foreign minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, welcomed the mediation efforts.

Kuwait's emir had played an important role in a previous Gulf rift in 2014, and Qatar's emir "regards him as a parent and respects his desire to postpone any speech or step until there is a clearer picture of the crisis," the foreign minister said.