Obama discusses Gulf discord during Saudi visit

Informed sources in Washington revealed that the US administration received an explicit request from Qatar to act as mediator between Doha and Saudi Arabia, UAE and Bahrain who had recently withdrawn their ambassadors from Doha.

According to official disclosures, US President Barack Obama addressed the Gulf disagreement with Qatar privately during his recent visit to Saudi Arabia, which was aimed at strengthening the US relationship with the Kingdom.

The president is also said to have discussed other issues including the Syrian crisis, the fight against terrorism, the Iranian nuclear file and the Palestinian-Israeli peace talks. More importantly, the US president praised the recent Saudi Royal Court decision to name second in line to throne; Prince Muqrin bin Abdulaziz Al Saud who would become King if the crown prince and king positions became vacant.

The American blessing comes to strengthen the Saudi intention towards favouring direct inheritance to the King’s decedants.

Meanwhile, observers believe that Doha is seeking assistance of non-Gulf States to act as mediators to resolve its disagreements with Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Bahrain.

According to informed sources the Emir of Qatar; Prince Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani had directly planned his recent visit to Amman which is seen as neutral and a traditional ally to the three Gulf States.

The same sources confirmed that Prince Tamim is planning to arrange a personal visit to Riyadh and Abu Dhabi as part of his rapprochement efforts with the neighbouring Gulf States.