FM: Iraq opposes Qatar blockade

Iraqi Foreign Minister Ibrahim Al-Jaafari said yesterday that his country opposes the siege imposed on Qatar.

Speaking during a lecture organised on the sidelines of his visit to Doha, the minister said “No Arab country should be besieged or encircled, and this year Qatar is certainly better than the previous year.”

The minister said he had met with Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, Prime Minister, Abdullah Bin Nasser Al Thani, and Foreign Minister, Mohammed Bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani.

Timeline: Qatar under siege

Al-Jaafari pointed out that he had sensed a strong desire from the Qatari officials to develop relations at all levels with Iraq.

Remarking on the security and political situation in Iraq, Al-Jaafari stressed that the Iraqi people are now heading towards reconstructing their country and removing the effects of terrorism.

Earlier this year in June, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt severed diplomatic ties with Qatar and imposed a land and air blockade on Qatar accusing it of sponsoring terrorism. Doha strenuously denies the charges.