Qatar’s attempt to apologise to Saudi Arabia has failed: UAE minister

Dubai: Recent efforts by Qatar to heal a rift with Saudi Arabia, which is leading an a Arab bloc boycotting the tiny Gulf country, have fizzled out, Emirati Minister of State for Foreign Affairs said on Friday.

“The recent Qatari efforts to reach out and apologise to Riyadh have obviously failed,” he said without giving details.

“Saudi Arabia is a country of commitment and loyalty and is not accustomed to betraying friends and allies,” Gargash said in a series of tweets.

“Therefore, the Qatari strategy is back to square one,” he added.

Citing a current tour by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman in Asia, Gargash said it reflects Saudi weight.

“No doubt, Doha is aware of this and watching the importance of these visits. It realises that the Qatari people blame its policies for being removed from its roots and excluded in its region,” he tweeted.

In June 2017, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Egypt severed diplomatic and economic links with Qatar, accusing it of supporting extremist and terrorist groups.

Doha has rejected demands set by the quartet to end the boycott, including the handover of wanted militants staying in Qatar.

Gargash ruled out an imminent end to the dispute.

“It has become clear for Doha that its media platforms have a limited effect,” he tweeted.

Current Qatari attempts to raise the row at international courts are doomed too, according to Gargash.