DOHA: The diplomatic deadlock between Qatar and three GCC countries — Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain — is expected to end soon. Diplomatic efforts in the GCC in this regard gained momentum on the last three days of Ramadan.

Kuwait received H H Shiekh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani, the personal representative of the Emir, H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, on the eve of Eid Al Fitr. Before the visit, Muqrim bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, deputy crown prince of Saudi Arabia, had visited Kuwait after visiting Bahrain and the UAE.

These visits will bear fruit in the form of ending the crisis caused by the withdrawal of the ambassadors of three GCC countries from Qatar. Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain had recalled their ambassadors from Qatar last March.

Qatar’s cabinet, on the other hand, had issued a statement saying that it had no intention of recalling its ambassador from these countries.

A highly placed GCC diplomatic source told alaraby.co.uk that the differences among the GCC countries would soon be resolved. The source said that Saudi Arabia was leading talks to resolve the differences, with the cooperation of Kuwait, which is playing the role of a mediator. The source further said that GCC nations should unite as soon as possible because they have to take an initiative for peace in Gaza.

Observers said that the recent visit of the Emir to Saudi Arabia and his meeting with the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz was expected to result in an improvement in relations.

This was the first visit of the Emir to Saudi Arabia since the withdrawal of the ambassadors. The visit aimed at breaking the ice in relations between Qatar and the three countries.

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