No breakthrough in Qatar crisis amid Tillerson's visit
By Kamila Aliyeva
U.S. Secretary of State Tillerson’s efforts to resolve a regional crisis in the Persian Gulf between Qatar and Saudi-led block have shown no sign of breakthrough.
Washington’s top diplomat on July 12 held talks with four Arab states boycotting Qatar.
The meeting brought together foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt with Tillerson in the Saudi Arabian coastal city of Jeddah.
Tillerson is due to make an unexpected return visit to Doha on July 13. It is expected that he will inform the Qatari leader on the views expressed at the meeting with the foreign ministers of the Saudi-led group.
On July 11, Tillerson signed an agreement with Qatar for the two countries to work together in countering terrorism financing, a separate deal which, however, addressed one of the main demands of the Arab nations which put the blame on Qatar of supporting terrorism and extremism.
Nevertheless, the reaction of Saudi-led block to the agreement was far from positive as they called the deal “insufficient.”
They stated again that the embargo against Qatar would continue until Doha commits to comprehensively implement the demands.
In early July, the Arab states sent a list of demand requiring 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.
Kuwait currently mediates the crisis.
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Kamila Aliyeva is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Kami_Aliyeva
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