Saudi and UAE want to seize Qatar’s wealth, says Sheikh Abdullah

Sheikh Abdullah Al-Thani, a member of the Qatari royal family, claimed today that Saudi Arabia and the UAE want to seize Qatar’s wealth.

In a new voice recording released today on several social networking sites, Al-Thani – who is currently receiving medical treatment in Kuwait – has warned against Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Abu Dhabi’s Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Zayed’s, attempts to sabotage Qatar, saying “they want Qatar’s wealth”.

He also said in the audio recording, which was recorded on 15 January, “Due to the pressures on me, my confinement, and inability to return home or join my family, namely my two daughters, I have decided to end my life with the aim of preventing any harm to others”.

Al-Thani calls for forgiveness in his recording and urges the Gulf nations not to fight, saying, “we are one nation”.

Read: Qatar seeks arbitration to end Saudi-led blockade

Al-Thani arrived in Kuwait on Tuesday after leaving his place of detention in Abu Dhabi, according to Kuwaiti media outlets.

While Abdullah Al-Thani thanked the Saudi Monarch, King Salman Bin Abdul Aziz, for his mediation on the issue of allowing Qatari pilgrims entering the country to perform hajj, he described his son as “cunning”.

“The [Gulf] crisis is based on interests and the desire of both Mohammed bin Zayed and Mohammed bin Salman to usurp the wealth and riches of Qatar,” Al-Thani said.

“I urge my fellow Qataris to defend your position, beware of them,” he added. “They may lure you with money to destroy your own country.”