Progress in resolving the crisis between Qatar and the Gulf countries

Defence Redefined

05/12/2020

Rivals Qatar and Saudi Arabia, along with neutral Oman and Kuwait, announced yesterday that progress has been made in resolving a diplomatic war between the small emirate against the powerful Saudi kingdom and three of its Arab allies.

“It’s time to resolve this dispute,” said Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, speaking from Bahrain, where he was attending a regional security conference. Kuwaiti Foreign Minister, Sheikh Ahmed Nasser Al-Mohammed Al-Sabah, whose country is leading the mediation effort, said all parties had expressed a willingness to reach a “final agreement” during the “fruitful talks” in which the United States participated. In a post on Twitter, Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdurrahman Al-Thani welcomed Kuwait’s statement as “an urgent step” in resolving the dispute.

The Qatari Foreign Minister said earlier in the Mediterranean Dialogue Forum held in Rome that Doha hoped “things will move in the right direction. The unity of the Gulf nations is very important for the security of the region. This unnecessary crisis must end on the basis of mutual respect,” he said.

Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt cut diplomatic and trade ties with Qatar in June 2017, accusing it of supporting terrorism and maintaining close ties with Iran. Doha denies the allegations. The four countries expelled Qatari nationals living in their territory, closed their borders and ports and did not permit Qatari planes to enter their airspace.

Speaking at an online forum over the health crisis, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud said a solution to the dispute with Qatar seemed feasible. “We have made significant progress in recent days thanks to the continued efforts of Kuwait, but also thanks to the strong support of President Trump,” he said. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has expressed “the hope that all countries involved in this crisis will work together to resolve their differences.” According to his spokesperson, Stefan Duradzic, Mr. Guterres stressed “the importance of the Gulf unity for peace, security and development in the region.”

Turkey also welcomed the progress made yesterday afternoon, welcoming Kuwait’s “sincere efforts” to resolve the crisis, while calling for an end to sanctions against Qatar, which the government described as “unfair”. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif tweeted that he hoped that the reconciliation in the Gulf “would contribute to stability and political as well as economic development for all the peoples of our region.”

Analysts had previously estimated that any solution could only be found between Riyadh and Doha, with the exception of the United Arab Emirates in particular, the country that has been most critical of Qatar since the beginning of the crisis. Prince Faizan’s comments suggest a more comprehensive agreement, but neither Abu Dhabi nor Manama reacted immediately to the Saudi official’s comments.

President Donald Trump’s son-in-law and adviser, Jared Kouchner, allegedly raised the issue and pushed for progress during a visit to Qatar last Wednesday. A few details were made public about the visit of Kouchner who also visited Saudi Arabia.

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