Qatar willing to listen to Gulf concerns, says Kuwait
Iran flies four cargo planes of food to Doha
DUBAI/DOHA: Qatar is ready to listen to the concerns of Gulf states that have cut diplomatic and economic ties, Kuwait said on Sunday, as it tried to mediate a solution to the worst regional crisis in years.
Saudi Arabia and allies Egypt, Bahrain and the UAE severed ties with Qatar last week, accusing it of supporting extremists and Iran.
The rift has disrupted travel, separated families, severed commercial links and sown confusion among banks and businesses while deepening divisions between their respective allies fighting in wars and political struggles from Libya to Yemen.
“(Kuwait) affirms the readiness of the brothers in Qatar to understand the reality of the qualms and concerns of their brothers and to heed the noble endeavours to enhance security and stability,” Kuwait’s state news agency KUNA quoted Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khalid Al-Sabah as saying.
Kuwait, which has retained ties with Qatar and has often acted as a mediator in regional disputes, said it wanted to resolve the dispute “within the unified Gulf house.” “Is this the beginning of wisdom and reasonable thinking? I hope so,” Anwar Gargash, UAE minister of state for foreign affairs, wrote on Twitter in reaction to Kuwait saying Qatar was ready to listen to the grievances.
Morocco, a close ally of the Gulf countries, said on Sunday it would remain neutral and offered to facilitate dialogue.
“If the parties so wish, Morocco is ready to offer its services to foster a frank and comprehensive dialogue on the basis of non-interference in internal affairs and the fight against religious extremism,” a statement from the country’s Foreign Ministry read.
US President Donald Trump at first offered to host Qatar and its adversaries — all US allies — at the White House, but on Friday said Qatar has been a high-level sponsor of terrorism and backed the Gulf pressure.
Saudi Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman discussed efforts to “counter terrorism and extremism” in a telephone call with US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Sunday, Saudi Press Agency (SPA) said.
On Friday, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the UAE and Egypt tightened their squeeze on Qatar by putting dozens of figures and charities they link to the country on terrorism blacklists.
Qatar’s official overseer of charities denied on Sunday that philanthropic groups in the country backed terrorism, saying it deplored the accusation.
Qatar was importing 80 percent of its food from bigger Gulf neighbors before they cut ties and is now in talks with Iran and Turkey to secure food and water supplies.
Iran sent four cargo planes of food to Qatar and plans to provide 100 tons of fruit and vegetables every day, Iranian officials said.
Also Sunday, the world soccer body — FIFA — said it has agreed to a request from the UAE for Qataris to be stopped from officiating at a World Cup qualifier Tuesday. A referee from Singapore has replaced one from Qatar for the UAE’s match against Thailand in Bangkok.