Qatar vows support for Somalia

DOHA: Qatar’s Emir held talks yesterday with the Somali president in Doha and pledged support for the East African country, amid tensions between the two countries and the UAE. Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani said that the relationship between Qatar and Somalia was one of “brotherhood and mutual respect”. “Qatar will continue to support the unity, stability, sovereignty and well-being of the people of Somalia,” he wrote on Twitter. African countries have found themselves in the fallout over the bitter Gulf crisis, with several breaking off ties with Qatar in support for countries which oppose Doha. Somalia has refused to take sides, although in recent weeks it has had its own disagreements with UAE rulers.