UAE 'appreciates Kuwait, US efforts' in resolving Gulf crisis

A leading UAE diplomat has welcomed Kuwait and US "efforts" in resolving a three-year Gulf crisis, which has seen Qatar under blockade by a number of its neighbours.

UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash said in a tweet that he hopes the issue with Qatar will be resolved by the time Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states meet in Bahrain or Kuwait later this month.

Gargash said that Abu Dhabi welcomed Kuwait and US efforts in "strengthening solidarity" in the Gulf region, referring to recent talks between Qatar and blockading states Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, and Egypt.

"The UAE supports Saudi Arabia's efforts to strengthen GCC solidarity on behalf of the four countries. We reaffirm that the GCC's relations with Egypt are key to maintaining Arab security, and stability in the region," Gargash said in Tuesday's tweet.

Since June 2017, Qatar had been subject to a blockade by Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt by land, sea, and air, accusing it of being too close to Iran and sponsoring extremist groups, claims Doha strongly denies.

US and Kuwait-sponsored talks have been held to try and resolve the crisis that involves some of Washington's closest global allies.

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan said Saturday that all countries involved were "on board" and that a final agreement should be reached soon.

"We are in full coordination with our partners in this process and the prospects that we see are very positive towards a final agreement," he said, adding that "the eventual resolution will involve all parties concerned", according to AFP.

"What we envision is a resolution that covers all aspects and is satisfactory to all parties involved," he said.

When asked whether the dispute was headed for a full settlement, he said responded positively and said it would happen "soon".

A Kuwaiti source told a local daily that the dispute is expected to be resolved by the time the next annual GCC summit takes place, later this month.