Qatar's Emir calls for new EU-style Arab security pact

Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani called for Middle Eastern states to put their differences behind them and forge a new security pact based on the European Union, Reuters reported.

Al-Thani was among world leaders speaking at the Munich Security Conference on Friday where he asked the international community to keep up pressure to calm regional tensions.

"I believe that it is time for wider regional security in the Middle East," he said.

"It is time for all nations of the region to forget the past, including us, and agree on basic security principles and rules of governance, and at least a minimum level of security to allow for peace and prosperity," he said.

"This should not be a pipe dream. Too much is at risk. The Middle East is at the brink. It's time to bring it back," he added.

Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain, along with Egypt, broke off diplomatic relations with Qatar in June 2017. They accuse the country of supporting terrorism - a charge Doha categorically denies.

Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif and Saudi Arabia's Minsiter of Foreign Affairs Adel bin Ahmed al-Jubeir are all expected to address conference attendees.