EUROPE MEET TO NAIL QATAR
French FM arrives in UAE on the last leg of his mission to mediate in the Gulf crisis
brussels — Evidences of Qatar’s funding and support of terrorism and extremism will be brought to the limelight at a seminar being organised in Brussels today.
The first such gathering in the European Union capital since the onset of the Qatari crisis, the seminar will bring together international officials and representatives of global think tanks to shed more extensive light on the geopolitical implications triggered by Qatar’s refusal to stop hosting, funding and providing supportive media platforms for extremist and terrorist outfits.
Dr Ahmed Al Hamli, founder and president of Trends Research & Advisory, organiser of the event, said the centre is hosting the gatherings out of its firm belief that the world should be aware of the fact that maximum pressures have to be exerted on Qatar to stop funding and supporting terrorism and that the Qatari behaviour poses a direct menace to the security of Europe, the US and the Middle East.
“We can’t tolerate such direct and overt support of extremist ideologies,” he said, noting that more pressures have to piled on such nations to change course.
“The seminar will focus on issues of cooperation between terror-combating countries and Qatar’s notorious history in this regard. We will bring forth and drive home many facts and proof, points that have not been known to the public and global community before about Qatar’s nurturing and sheltering of terrorist elements.”
“Trends Research and Advisory has developed two reports that feature undeniable facts about Qatar’s direct and indirect support for terrorism and extremism, including evidence and names,” he elaborated.
Meanwhile, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian held talks with top officials in Kuwait on Sunday in a bid to bolster the emirate’s attempts to mediate in the crisis.
Le Drian met the Amir of Kuwait, His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah, and Kuwait’s foreign minister, state news agency Kuna said, for talks on a regional rift which has seen Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt and Bahrain sever all ties with Qatar.
Le Drian, who arrived in the UAE later in the day, stopped in Qatar and Saudi Arabia at the start of his two-day Gulf tour on Saturday.
Le Drian’s visit comes after a four-day mediation mission by US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, which ended on Thursday with no announcement of progress towards defusing mounting tension in the Gulf. — Wam, AFP
jeddah — Saudi Foreign Minister Adel bin Ahmed Al Jubeir has said that the Foreign Ministry will provide the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs with a complete file of the negative actions carried out by Qatar over the years, saying a similar file was given to the US and other allies.
According to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), speaking at a press conference in Jeddah on Saturday with French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, Al Jubeir said he hoped the crisis would be resolved by the Gulf countries themselves, and that Qatar would show the wisdom to respond to the demands of the international community, not just the four Arab countries.
He pointed out that the international community has refused Qatar’s support of terrorism and extremism, and hosting people wanted in this regard.
Al Jubeir said during his meeting with the french minister he discussed bilateral relations, efforts to combat terrorism and extremism, and other regional and international issues.
He added that they also discussed the current situation in the region, peace process, Syria situation, issues relating to the implementation of the Geneva Declaration 1 and Security Council Resolution No 2254, as well as the situation in Iraq, the SPA added.
Al Jubeir stressed that there are basic principles that all countries, including Qatar, must abide by, including stopping support to terrorism, extremism, incitement and spreading hatred through media, as well as stopping hosting terrorists or those involved in financing of terrorism or wanted in their countries, and not to interfere in the affairs of neighbouring countries.
The French minister expressed concern over the Qatar crisis and its political and economic impact. He pointed out that France was in touch with all parties.
He also praised Saudi efforts to eradicate terrorism.
About France’s position on the Qatar crisis, he said it consists of a number of points, including the firm commitment of all to fight terrorism, and stand against those who support and finance terrorism, stressing the need for the GCC countries to stay united as an impenetrable barrier against terrorists.
Le Drian stressed that the crisis must be solved by the Gulf countries themselves, pointing out that France does not want to substitute anyone as it just wants to add its efforts to other countries efforts and support the Kuwaiti mediation.