Qatari Emir visits Kuwait amidst accusations of supporting opposition

Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad arrived on Sunday evening in Kuwait for a brief visit to congratulate his counterpart, Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Sabah Ahmad Al-Subah, during the month of Ramadan.

The Jordanian newspaper Al-Arab Al-Yawm quoted a Kuwaiti political source as saying that the visit comes in line with the efforts exerted by Al-Subah to achieve a political reconciliation between the Gulf States, mainly Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

The source said that this effort is based on the desire and belief of the Kuwaiti government that reconciliation is possible. He said the visit is an extension of efforts exerted during the latest summit of the Gulf States and the Arab League summit, which was held in Kuwait.

Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain all withdrew their ambassadors to Doha several months ago to protest against Qatar’s alleged support for the Muslim Brotherhood and opposition to the Egyptian coup leader Abdul-Fattah Al-Sisi.

Recently, Kuwait has witnessed local demonstrations against the detention of former opposition MP Musallam Al-Barrack, who was detained on allegations he insulted the judiciary. Kuwaiti MP Nabil Al-Fadl accused the Muslim Brotherhood and Qatar of standing behind the demonstrations.

On Twitter, Al-Fadl reportedly wrote: “The Muslim Brotherhood wants Kuwait to be without dignity in order to crush it! They have recently been working from behind closed doors to push fools and reckless people to demonstrate! They are openly calling for demonstrations.”

Al-Fadl suggested that the support of some MPs for the demonstrations is proof of the coordination under “one master: Doha”.