Italy stresses need for dialogue to end Gulf crisis

Italian President Sergio Mattarella has stressed the need to end a blockade on Qatar by neighbouring states.

Mattarella made the appeal during a meeting with the Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani on Monday in Rome, the official Qatar news agency reported.

"A number of regional and international issues were discussed, including the Gulf crisis, which both sides emphasised the need to its settlement through dialogue and diplomatic means," the report said.

Sheikh Tamim is currently on a tour of Italy and Croatia.

Since 2017, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the UAE and Egypt have imposed a land, air and sea blockade on Qatar, accusing it of seeking closer ties with Iran and of supporting extremist groups.

Qatar denies the charges, accusing its neighbours of seeking regime change.

The report comes after Kuwait, which has been attempting to mediate the crisis, said Doha will attend the upcoming Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) summit in the Saudi capital.

It is not clear if a Qatari minister or a more minor diplomatic representative will attend the session.

Earlier this month, Qatar's emir said the regional dispute would pass, stressing it has made the country stronger.

Both the Saudi crown prince and Egyptian president offered rare praise of Qatar in recent speeches.

The praises have come as Riyadh has been facing growing pressure and criticism over the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Qatar's economy has continued to grow despite a blockade.