Demands damage sovereignty, insists Qatar

Qatar’s Foreign Minister has reiterated the government’s rejection of the 13 demands made by the boycotting countries, Al-Jazeera has reported. Sheikh Mohamed Bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani said that the demands “damage [Qatar’s] sovereignty” and he insisted that the measures taken against Qatar must be withdrawn.

The minister expressed his regret that a military option has been mentioned. This was a reference to the statement made by the Emir of Kuwait during a meeting with Donald Trump. “What is important is that we have stopped any military action,” said Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, who is looking to the US to help resolve the Gulf crisis.

The US President, meanwhile, said that he is willing to provide mediation and called on all the parties to overcome their differences and unite to focus on the efforts to combat terrorism. “If I can help mediate between Qatar and, in particular, the UAE and Saudi Arabia, I would be willing to do so, and I think you would have a deal worked out very quickly,” said Trump.

Speaking after a call from the US leader, Qatar’s Emir confirmed Washington’s commitment to end the crisis.

Read: Qatar accuses the boycotting countries of putting the Gulf Cooperation Council at risk