Kuwaiti official: Return of ambassadors to Doha a matter of time

Kuwaiti foreign minister Sabah Khaled al-Hamad Al-Sabah said that the return of withdrawn Gulf ambassadors to Doha “could happen anytime.”

At a joint press conference with the secretary general of the Gulf Cooperation Council Abdullatif Bin Rashid al-Zayani following the end of the 132th session of the GCC’s ministerial council in Jeddah, al-Sabah said that the ministerial meeting resulted in agreement on “foundations and criteria” for settling Gulf disputes, in reference to the rift with Qatar.

Al-Sabah has not disclosed the new criteria agreed upon during the meeting, and has not responded to a question on whether there is any timetable for implementing those criteria.

“All Gulf countries are pained because of the situation we have passed through, and all of us are keen on resolving this matter,” he said, pointing out that the region is “beset with dangers.” which necessitates an end to disputes.

He stressed that the six Gulf states: Saudi Arabia, Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, and Bahrain, have agreed on the basis of reconciliation and are committed to implementing them “in the near future.”

Asked whether the agreement included a return to Gulf ambassadors to Doha, he said that this could happen anytime.

“The meeting was full of brotherly spirit and awareness of the dangers facing the region. There is an intention to finish this as soon as possible. Very soon, everyone will see the results,” he said.

Al-Sabah refused to comment on accusations against UAE regarding its involvement in the bombardment of Libyan troops, dismissing the source of the story as “dubious.”

Regarding US president’s call for an international alliance against ISIS and terrorism, the Kuwaiti foreign minister said that he will wait for the visit by Secretary of State John Kerry to learn more about the proposal.

The UAE, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia had recalled their Doha ambassadors after accusing Doha of failing to implement an agreement it signed earlier which stipulated that Gulf states would not interfere in each other’s affairs and would not support any individuals of organisations which threaten the security and stability of the council.

Observers have linked the withdrawal of Gulf ambassadors to Qatar’s opposition of ousting Egyptian president Mohamed Morsi who hails from the Muslim Brotherhood.