Britain appeals to Gulf states to ease Qatar blockade

BRITAIN urged Gulf states including Saudi Arabia yesterday to ease a blockade of Qatar and to find a solution to the impasse through mediation.

Qatar condemned the sanctions imposed against Doha by Saudi Arabia and its allies as “unfair” and “illegal”, as Britain announced talks to try to resolve the crisis.

“Whatever relates to our foreign affairs... no one has the right to discuss,” Qatar’s foreign minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-thani told reporters during a visit to Paris. He called for “dialogue based on clear foundations” over accusations that Qatar supports extremist groups. “Qatar is willing to negotiate about whatever is related to Gulf security,” he said.

Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain are among several countries which last week announced the suspension of ties to Qatar over what they say are its support for extremist groups and its political proximity to Shia Iran. Qatar denies the allegations.

In London, Boris Johnson, the Foreign Secretary, said he would meet his counterparts from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the UAE this week, and called for calm. “I have urged all sides to refrain from any further escalation and to engage in mediation efforts,” he said.

While praising Qatar’s restraint, he added: “I call on Qatar to take seriously their neighbours’ concerns.

“Qatar is a partner of the UK in the fight against terrorism but they urgently need to do more to address support for extremist groups.”

Sheikh Mohammed said he had no idea what had provoked the move. “It’s not about Iran or Al-jazeera,” he said, referring to the Qatar-based broadcaster. But he supported moves by Kuwait to act as a mediator with the help of the US.