Kuwait's ruler heads to Washington to 'mediate Qatar crisis with Trump'

Kuwait's ruler, who is trying to mediate an end to the Qatar diplomatic crisis, is travelling to Washington to meet with US President Donald Trump.

Kuwaiti state media said on Friday that Emir Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah leaves on Friday for the US, where he is scheduled to meet on Thursday with Trump.

The 88-year-old ruler of the oil-rich staunch US ally has so far been unsuccessful in his efforts to end the crisis.

The dispute began June 5 when Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates all cut ties to Doha over allegations Qatar funds extremists and has ties that are too warm with Iran.

Qatar has long denied the charges.

US officials also have shuttled among the countries, seeking to end the crisis engulfing America's Mideast allies.

Qatar's foreign minister said on Wednesday that the Saudi-led bloc has shown no signs of being open to negotiations.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani made the comments at a press conference that followed a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov who was in the Gulf attempting to patch up the regional diplomatic crisis.

"Qatar maintains its position that this crisis can only be achieved through a constructive dialogue... but the blockading countries are not responding to any efforts being conducted by Kuwait or other friendly countries," Sheikh Mohammed told reporters in Doha.