DUBAI, Dec 23 (Reuters) – Qatar’s foreign minister has called for a de-escalation of tension in the Persian Gulf region and for dialogue between Arab countries and Iran, Al Jazeera reported on Wednesday.
Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and non- Persian Gulf state Egypt severed diplomatic, trade, and travel ties with Qatar in mid-2017 over accusations that Doha it supports terrorism, charges which Qatar denies.
Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani said the Persian Gulf crisis should be resolved by dialogue, respect for sovereignty, and non-interference in the internal affairs of states.
Al-Thani also told Doha-based al Jazeera that talks to resolve the crisis were underway, with Saudi Arabia representing the other parties to the dispute. Riyadh said this month a solution was within reach.
(Reporting by Aziz El Yaakoubi; Writing by Raya Jalabi; Editing by Andrew Heavens and Timothy Heritage)
