Manama: Qatari Emir Shaikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani and Kuwaiti First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Shaikh Sabah Al Khalid Al Hamad Al Sabah discussed in Doha the latest developments regarding the Kuwaiti mediation to resolve the Gulf crisis, the official news agencies of both countries said.
According to the reports, Shaikh Sabah and the delegation accompanying him on the hours-long trip also reviewed with Shaikh Tamim “the close and brotherly relations between the two countries as well as regional and international issues”.
The talks were held a few days after Kuwait’s Emir went to the Saudi capital Riyadh where he met King Salman Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud to discuss the Qatar crisis and the latest developments in the region.
Kuwait has been mediating since Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt in June 5 severed their diplomatic and trade relations with Qatar after they accused it of supporting extremists and funding terrorism. The Quarter issued 13 demands that they wanted Qatar to meet, but Doha has rejected them resulting in the prolonged stalemate.
Despite the international support for the mediation, no breakthrough has been achieved yet.
Kuwait has resumed its mediation ahead of a major decision related to the annual summit held by the leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) of which Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar are members. Oman is the sixth member country.
The summit is scheduled for December in Kuwait, but following the fissure within the GCC, the chances of holding it are dimming although Kuwait has said that it was ready to host the annual gathering of the only vigorous Arab alliance.
Reports said the summit could be delayed, cancelled or shifted to Riyadh, the headquarters of the GCC, but without the participation of Qatar.
