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Qatar reiterates support for Kuwait mediation in Gulf crisis

September 26, 2017 at 6:50 pm

Qatari Foreign Minister, Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman Al Thani In Doha, Qatar on 15 July 2017 [Mohamed Farag/Anadolu Agency]

Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman Al Thani has reiterated his country’s support for Kuwaiti efforts to resolve the dispute between Doha and a number of Arab countries.

Speaking at a seminar organised by the French Institute for International Relations in Paris the minister said the blockade aims to “impose dictates on Doha and damage its economy”, however Qatar has diversified its economy and established one of the biggest ports in the Middle East.

“What is happening is not boycotting, it is a siege. The aim of this crisis is to impose policies and dictates on Qatar because of its independent foreign policy, its success and its booming economy, which has aroused the resentment of some of its neighbours,” the minister said.

Read: The shifts in the Gulf crisis

He stressed that “the accusations against Qatar are unfounded”, explaining that Qatar has asked the countries accusing Doha of sponsoring terrorism to provide evidence of their allegations but they have been unable to provide proof.

The Qatari foreign minister warned of the political repercussions resulting from the Gulf crisis on the region and the world.

“The blockade countries are waging propaganda campaigns against the State of Qatar, and have forced the imams and clerics to join the incitement campaign against Qatar, although they say that religion must be separated from politics,” he said.

He stressed that terrorism should be fought through political and military means and warned that resorting to repression instead of the rule of law will harm global efforts to combat terrorism.

Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt cut off diplomatic and trade ties with Qatar in June on allegations that it supports terrorism.

Read more: Trump warned Saudi, UAE over military action against Qatar

Kuwait has been leading mediation efforts to heal the rift but has been unable to achieve a breakthrough.