Signs of ‘thaw’ in diplomatic dispute

Bahrain, Saudi, UAE might allow some Qataris to stay in their countries; Doha reciprocates

Doha, Qatar, June 11: Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates signalled on Sunday they might allow some Qataris to stay in their countries amid a diplomatic rift with the Gulf nation.

Qatar, meanwhile, pledged those nations’ citizens will have “complete freedom” to stay in the energy-rich country.

The three Gulf nations cut ties to Qatar on June 5 over its alleged support of militants and ties to Iran and ordered all Qataris out within 14 days, while calling their own citizens back. That has created chaos across the Sunni Gulf nations, whose citizens intermarry and conduct business across countries, sharing historic and cultural bonds.

On Sunday, the three countries issued statements, urging mixed nationality families to call their respective interior ministries to take into consideration the “humanitarian circumstances” of the situation.

Qatar issued an overnight statement, saying residents living in the country from nations that severed ties would have “complete freedom” to stay despite the “hostile and tendentious campaigns” against it.

“The state of Qatar, in accordance to its firm beliefs and principles, works on avoiding political conflicts with states and governments when dealing with their people,” the ministry said. “Those residents have the complete freedom in staying in the state of Qatar in accordance with the laws and regulations adopted by the state.”

The decision will come as a relief to the more than 11,000 people from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain living in Qatar.

“For potentially thousands of people across the Gulf, the effect of the steps imposed in the wake of this political dispute is suffering, heartbreak and fear,” Amnesty International has said.

Qatar has also boasted of “business as usual” for vital gas exports. Despite the unprecedented sanctions, Qatar said that its crucial exports of liquified gas had not been interrupted.

“Qatar Petroleum... is conducting business as usual throughout all its upstream, midstream and downstream businesses and operations,” a statement read. Gas has helped transform the tiny emirate into one of the richest countries in the world.