Malaysia backs mediation efforts to solve Persian Gulf crisis

PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia has called on all parties to back the mediation efforts initiated by Kuwait to resolve the crisis affecting the Persian Gulf countries, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

He said Malaysia has always upheld the principle of non-interference to the internal affairs of other sovereign countries and urged all nations to do the same.

“We are closely monitoring the situation of our brothers in the Arab world, especially Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain, Egypt and Qatar.

“Malaysia strongly supports the efforts by the Emir of Kuwait to mediate the escalating tensions, and we stand ready to assist if our contribution is needed,” Najib said in a statement yesterday.

The crisis began on June 5 when six countries cut ties with Qatar, accusing it of destabilising the region and backing militant groups, ,a claim which Qatar has denied.

Najib said Malaysia acknowledges the important role of Saudi Arabia as the beacon of stability in the Gulf, as well as its role in upholding the unity of the ummah.

“For this reason, all parties must ensure that the security and stability of Saudi Arabia, as the custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, is protected and preserved at all costs,” he said.

He urged all parties to take immediate steps to comply with agreements reached by the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, specifically the 2014 Riyadh Agreement.

Meanwhile, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein is going on a fact-finding mission to three Arab states next week to find out why they are in conflict with Qatar.

The Special Functions Minister, who will be heading for Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain, said he wanted to explore if Malaysia can help resolve the conflict.

“We need to show to the Arab countries that Malaysia and the region are concerned about the crisis.

“I hope to find out the true situation and get an update from leaders of the countries. If Malaysia is to play any role, we need to know why is there a crisis with Qatar.

“We can only do that if we meet them, whom we regard as friends, personally,” he said at the Prime Minister’s Department Hari Raya event here.

Hishammuddin is expected to have an audience with the King of Bahrain, King Hamad Isa Al Khalifa, Crown Prince Mohammed Salman of Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Malaysia, who shares close relations with all countries involved in the conflict, said that it would continue with its neutral stand.