WASHINGTON – After appreciating Gulf nations’ decision to cut ties with Qatar, U.S. President Donald Trump has now changed his stance as he has made a call to Qatari emir extending help to defuse the tension.
In a call to Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, “The president offered to help the parties resolve their differences, including through a meeting at the White House if necessary,” read White House statement.
“The President emphasized the importance of all countries in the region working together to prevent the financing of terrorist organizations and stop the promotion of extremist ideology,” the statement said.
“The President reiterated that a united Gulf Cooperation Council and a strong United States-Gulf Cooperation Council partnership are critical to defeating terrorism and promoting regional stability.”
Isolating Qatar
On Monday, five Arab states, including Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain, Yemen and Egypt, and other non-Arab countries cut all diplomatic relations with fellow Gulf Arab state, Qatar, for allegedly supporting terrorism and extremism..
Trump’s Support For Blockade
On Tuesday, Donald Trump appeared to take credit for the diplomatic and economic blockade imposed on Qatar by fellow Gulf states.
He tweeted, “So good to see the Saudi Arabia visit with the King and 50 countries already paying off. They said they would take a hard line on funding…”
So good to see the Saudi Arabia visit with the King and 50 countries already paying off. They said they would take a hard line on funding…
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 6, 2017
Trump further tweeted;
…extremism, and all reference was pointing to Qatar. Perhaps this will be the beginning of the end to the horror of terrorism!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 6, 2017
Kuwaiti Mediation
Kuwait’s Emir, Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah held talks with the Saudi King Salman bin Abdul Aziz on ways to defuse an escalating crisis between Arab countries and Qatar. But no details were given on the talks.
