Gulf states await Qatar response

The Amir of Kuwait, His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah, met UAE leaders in Dubai on Wednesday, a day after holding talks in Saudi Arabia aimed at resolving a diplomatic crisis with Qatar.

The Amir held talks with His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.

UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan and other senior officials attended the talks.

Sheikh Sabah is expected to travel to Qatar after his UAE trip for talks with his counterpart in the Gulf state, according to reports.

The Kuwaiti ruler held talks on Tuesday in the Saudi city of Jeddah with the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia, over the crisis facing the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council.

Saudi Arabia and allies on Monday cut diplomatic ties with Qatar over claims Doha supports extremism.

Earlier in the day, Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Al Jubeir said he is seeking response from Qatar on demands soon.

He said Qatar is a "brother state" and that punitive steps against the country are a well-intentioned effort to stop its support for extremism.

Speaking in Berlin, Al Jubeir also said efforts would be made to resolve the conflict within the GCC.

"We see Qatar as a brother state, as a partner," he told a joint press conference with German counterpart Sigmar Gabriel.

"But you have to be able to tell your friend or your brother when they are doing the right thing and when they are doing the wrong thing."

Al Jubeir said that "for many years Qatar has taken steps to support certain organisations".

"This has been condemned in the past, but unfortunately we have not received appropriate cooperation on this and that's why these measures have now been taken."

He added that "we have taken these steps in the interest of Qatar...and in the interest of security and stability in the region".

"And we hope that our brother Qatar will now take the right steps in order to end this crisis."

Source: Khaleej Times