UK welcomes Qatar's anti-terrorism efforts

The British Foreign Minister, Boris Johnson, welcomed yesterday the Qatari government pledges to combat terrorism and terror financing.

“I welcome the Emir of Qatar’s commitment to combat terrorism in all its manifestations, including terrorist financing,” Johnson said yesterday in a statement to British media.

“The Emir also pledged to resolve the remaining differences with Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt and Bahrain through dialogue, negotiation, and Kuwaiti mediation,” he noted, stressing that “these steps will help to resolve the dispute.”

The British minister pledged that “the UK will continue to engage our partners in the region to help them reach a solution, including assisting Kuwait’s important efforts in whatever way we can.”

Read: Defiant Qatar redefines the regional landscape

He hoped that “in turn Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt and Bahrain respond by taking steps towards lifting the embargo.“ “This will allow substantive discussions on remaining differences to begin,” Johnson added.

On Friday, the Qatari Emir, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani, said in a speech that his country is “ready to resolve all these disagreements and for dialogue” with the four Arab countries that severed ties with Arab Gulf state, underlining that it must be “built on the independence” of the parties and “respect.”

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The Emir also announced his government’s move to amend its anti-terrorism laws, stressing that “Qatar is fighting terrorism relentlessly and without compromise.”

The Qatari step was welcomed by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), describing it as a “positive step” towards addressing some of the neighbouring countries’ demands.

Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the UAE, and Bahrain cut diplomatic ties with Qatar on 5 June, and accusing Doha of “supporting terrorism.” Qatar denies the accusations and contends the blockade is a violation of international law.