Azernews.Az

By Kamila Aliyeva

The United States has vowed for early resolution of the ongoing crisis in the Persian Gulf region as Secretary of State Rex Tillerson arrived on July 11 in Doha for talks with Qatar's emir and foreign minister.

This trip marks the new level of U.S. involvement in Qatar crisis, which continues to escalate and causes growing concern.

Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Egypt and Bahrain in early June cut off diplomatic relations, severed air, land and sea links with Qatar and ordered Qatari citizens to leave their countries within two weeks, accusing it of backing terrorism and extremism. Qatar has denied the allegations.

The blockade disrupted imports of food and other materials into Qatar and caused many foreign banks to scale back their business with the country.

Tillerson told reporters that the Qatari government had "reasonable" views in the rift with its Arab neighbors, Al-Jazeera reported.

"I think Qatar has been quite clear in its positions, and I think those have been very reasonable," Tillerson said upon his arrival.

The visit to Doha follows a meeting with the Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah and other senior Kuwaiti officials. Kuwait currently mediates the crisis.

In Doha, Tillerson held a meeting with Qatari leader Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani during which "joint efforts to counter terrorism and extremism", "Washington's efforts to support the mediation of Kuwait," as well as "strategic relations between Doha and Washington" were discussed.

Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani called the meetings with Rex Tillerson in Doha "very constructive".

In early July, the Arab states sent a list of demand and required Doha to cut diplomatic relations with Iran, close the Turkish military base, eliminate Al-Jazeera TV channel, extradite all persons wanted in four countries on charges of terrorism and pay compensation.

Doha refused to fulfill these requirements calling the list unrealistic and not actionable. Four Arab states claimed that economic boycott against Qatar will remain in place until the country changes its policies for the better.

Following Qatar’s denial to agree with the demands, the new accusations of Doha came from the side of its Arab neighbors.

The Saudi-led bloc accused Qatar of violating deals it signed in 2013 and 2014 with its Gulf neighbours, which prohibited support for opposition groups in those nations, as well as in Egypt and Yemen.

Ahmad Al-Thani who heads Qatar's government Liaison Office, in turn, said that the embargo on Qatar is an obvious violation of Riyadh Agreements of 2013-2014.

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Kamila Aliyeva is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Kami_Aliyeva

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