Qatar willing to listen, says Kuwait

Qatar is ready to listen to the concerns of Gulf Arab states that have cut diplomatic and economic ties, Kuwait said on Sunday as it tried to mediate a solution to the worst regional crisis in years.

"(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".

A previous mediation effort by Kuwait in which the Amir, His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah, shuttled between Riyadh, Abu Dhabi and Doha, failed to achieve an immediate breakthrough.

"Is this the beginning of wisdom and reasonable thinking? I hope so," UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash wrote on Twitter in reaction to Kuwait saying Qatar was ready to listen to the grievances.

US President Donald Trump at first offered to host Qatar and its Arab neighbours at the White House, but on Friday said Qatar has been a high-level sponsor of terrorism and backed the Gulf pressure.

Saudi Arabia's Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman discussed efforts to "counter terrorism and extremism" in a telephone call with US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Sunday, state news agency SPA said.

On Friday Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the UAE and Egypt tightened their squeeze on Qatar by putting dozens of figures and charities they link to the country on terrorism blacklists.

Qatar's official overseer of charities denied on Sunday that philanthropic groups in the country backed terrorism.

A peninsular nation of 2.5 million people, Qatar has for years punched well above its weight in world affairs by parleying its vast gas wealth into influence across the region, irking many with its maverick stances and support for extremists.
But it was importing 80 per cent of its food from bigger Gulf neighbours before they cut ties.

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".

Meanwhile, Qatar has paid $2.5 million to the law firm of a former attorney-general under US president George W. Bush to audit its efforts at stopping terrorism funding, a matter at the heart of the Gulf diplomatic crisis that erupted last week.

John Ashcroft personally will lead his Washington-based firm's efforts "to evaluate, verify and as necessary, strengthen the client's anti-money laundering and counterterrorism financing" compliance and potentially lobby lawmakers and the media, according to documents filed to the US Justice Department.

The Ashcroft Law Firm filed the paperwork with the Justice Department's National Security Division on Friday. Such reports are required by the Foreign Agents Registration Act, first put in place over concerns about Nazi propagandists operating in the US ahead of World War II
The filed reports show Ashcroft's firm "may engage in outreach efforts to US government officials and/or communicate with the media" regarding its findings. - AP- Reuters

Source: Khaleej Times