WEB DESK
Amid the Gulf crisis, Qatar on Monday tried to avoid any escalation of feud with neighbours asking their citizens that ‘they are welcome to stay’, while boasting of “business as usual” for vital gas exports.
The decision has come as a relief to the more than 11,000 people from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain living in Qatar.
Nearly a week after Saudi Arabia and several of its allies severed ties with Qatar in an unprecedented Gulf diplomatic crisis, there were no signs of the bitter dispute being resolved.
Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and others accused Qatar of supporting extremist groups, an assertion since backed by US President Donald Trump. Qatar strongly rejects the allegations and has said it is open to talks on ending the dispute.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino today said he was confident the diplomatic crisis posed no threat to the 2022 edition of the Football World Cup, which raked in 4.8 billion US Dollars in 2014 in Brazil, according to a FIFA report.
Meanwhile, Iran has announced that it has sent tonnes of vegetables to Qatar, which has seen food imports threatened after its neighbours cut air, sea and land links with the country.
“Qatar is ready to listen to concerns of Gulf nations”
WEB DESK
Kuwait has said that Qatar is ready to listen to the concerns of Gulf Arab nations that have cut diplomatic and economic ties.
Kuwait is engaged mediating between Qatar and other Gulf countries to end worst regional crisis.
“(Kuwait) affirms the readiness of the brothers in Qatar to understand the reality of the qualms and concerns of their brothers and to heed the noble endeavours to enhance security and stability,” Kuwait’s state news agency KUNA quoted Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah al-Khalid al-Sabah as saying.
Kuwait, which has retained ties with Qatar and has often acted as a mediator in regional disputes, said it wanted to resolve the dispute “within the unified Gulf house”.
Saudi Arabia and allies Egypt, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) severed ties with Qatar last week, accusing it of supporting Islamist militants and Iran – charges Doha denies.
The crisis has disrupted travel, separated families, severed commercial links and sown confusion among banks and businesses.
Morocco, a close ally of the Gulf countries, said on Sunday it would remain neutral and offered to facilitate dialogue.
“If the parties so wish, the Kingdom of Morocco is ready to offer its services to foster a frank and comprehensive dialogue on the basis of non-interference in internal affairs and the fight against religious extremism,” a statement from the country’s foreign ministry read.
Qatar’s energy minister said on Sunday Doha remained committed to an oil output cut deal agreed by Opec and non-Opec producers last month.
Mohammed al-Sada said in a statement: “circumstances in the region shall not prevent the state of Qatar from honouring its international commitment of cutting its oil production”.