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Gargash: Qatar Crisis Will be Resolved Politically | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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UAE State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Anwar Gargash, speaks during a press conference at his office in Dubai on June 24, 2017. (AFP)


Dubai – United Arab Emirates Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr. Anwar Gargash stated on Friday that the crisis with Qatar is a product of its government’s policies against its neighbors and region.

He said in a series of tweets: “The crisis with Qatar is purely political and it will be resolved through political means.”

He added that it was “unfortunate” that the dispute had an impact on the Qatari people, stressing that the problem does not lie with them, but with the government.

The crisis erupted in June when Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt and the UAE severed their ties with Doha, accusing it of supporting terrorist and extremist groups and of creating instability in the region.

Addressing Iran’s criticism of Iraqi Shi’ite leader Moqtada al-Sadr’s recent visit to Saudi Arabia, Gargash said: “This underlines the need to continue the policy of openness towards Iraq. The road is bumpy, but the Arab world demands this.”

“Arab communication is necessary and the role of Riyadh is pivotal in the post-terrorism (ISIS) phase. The scene is complicated, but it will not be difficult for any common approach that backs Iraq’s stability and prosperity,” he stressed.

Head of the Sadrist Movement Moqtada al-Sadr had paid a visit to Saudi Arabia earlier this month where he held talks with Vice Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Gargash made his tweets as Kuwait and the United States are leading efforts to persuade Qatar to accept the 2014 Riyadh agreement, which it signed, in order to end the boycott of the four countries. The efforts are also aimed at pushing Doha to commit to its pledges.

Two US envoys had arrived in Doha to hold talks with Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman and then the Emir of Qatar.

They had met in Abu Dhabi on Thursday with Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, stressing American support for the Kuwaiti mediation.