Wednesday, March 05, 2014
KUWAIT – Kuwait will not recall its ambassador from Qatar, but will maintain its role to mediate between Qatar and other Arab countries, sources in the Kuwaiti Foreign Ministry said Wednesday.
“Kuwait is keen on healing any rifts in the Gulf-Gulf relations or Gulf-Arab ties,” one of the sources told Anadolu Agency.
On Wednesday, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain recalled their ambassadors from Qatar over Doha’s perceived support for Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood.
The three Gulf nations attributed the move to Qatar’s failure to abide by an agreement signed last November by Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, which called on signatories to refrain from supporting any groups or individuals that “seek to endanger the security and stability of any GCC member state.”
Qatar, for its part, regretted the recall, saying it was “surprised” at the move.
Speaker of the Kuwaiti National Assembly (parliament) Marzouq al-Ghanim on Wednesday voiced concern over the move by the three Arab countries to recall their ambassadors from Qatar.
He expressed hope that Kuwait’s Emir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jabir Al-Sabah “would heal the rift between brothers in the Gulf Cooperation Council”.
The Egyptian Foreign Ministry said that the decision by the three Arab countries to recall their ambassadors from Qatar reflected Arab “displeasure” with Doha’s policies.
“The recall reflects the displeasure of Arab countries with Qatari policies,” ministry spokesman Badr Abdel-Ati said in a statement.
Relations between Egypt and Qatar have been tense since the Egyptian military unseated elected president Mohamed Morsi last July.
Since Morsi’s ouster, Egypt’s interim authorities have accused Qatar of interfering in Egypt’s domestic affairs, especially after statements by Qatari officials condemning Egypt’s ongoing crackdown on Morsi supporters.
Last month, Egypt’s Foreign Ministry summoned the Qatari charge d’affaires to register its dissatisfaction with Qatari policy and urge Qatar to hand over wanted fugitives.
Copyright © 2014 Anadolu Agency
World News:
Nigeria president sacks sports minister
UN: Crimes against humanity go unpunished in Syria
Pakistan to hold direct talks with Taliban
Israeli Navy claims to intercept Gaza-bound Iranian arms ship
Israeli settler cuts down 20 Palestinian olive trees
Sisi presidency bid ‘new evil’ for Egypt: Pro-democracy bloc
Bulgaria concerned over Russia’s gas supply
China increases its defense budget
21 killed, dozens injured as multiple blasts rock Baghdad
Israeli forces arrest Qassam leader in Al-Khalil
Tunisia court orders release of Ben Ali’s last defense minister
Russia tests ballistic missile amid tension over Crimea