Tabnak – As the unprecedented spat between Qatar and some other Arab States of the Persian Gulf has entered a new phase, attempts to mediate between the sides have raised from some regional countries. In this vein, Kuwait is trying to calm the situation down by encouraging its other Arab neighbors to have dialogue.
Press TV reports that Kuwait's emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah has called on Qatar to refrain from worsening regional tensions. On Monday, al-Sabah called on Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to "work on easing tensions and refrain from taking any decision that might cause escalation."
He also urged Al Thani to make efforts towards resolving differences, which have arisen among regional states. Al-Sabah’s request was made following a visit by Mecca Governor and adviser to King Salman Prince Khaled al-Faisal in which "bilateral relations… and the latest regional and international developments” were discussed.
Reacting to Sheikh Sabah’s statement, Qatar declared it is ready to give Kuwait a chance to mediate a potential resolution of the crisis. Qatar’s Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani on Tuesday cited the Qatari emir as having voiced readiness for mediation while talking to his Kuwaiti counterpart on the phone.
The Qatari foreign minister also said Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah had advised Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the emir of Qatar, to delay a scheduled public address as Kuwait City tried to mediate.
However, the attempts for mediation did not remain restricted just to Kuwait, as Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif spoke with multiple foreign counterparts on Monday to discuss the latest regional developments.
In telephone conversations with Asian and African foreign ministers, Zarif talked about the worsening diplomatic spat between Qatar and some of its regional neighbors.
On Monday, the senior Iranian diplomat held separate telephone conversations with Iraq’s Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari, Omani Foreign Minister Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, and Foreign Minister of Kuwait Sabah Al Khalid Al Sabah to discuss Qatar diplomatic row.
Zarif also spoke with the foreign ministers of Lebanon, Tunisia, Malaysia, and Algeria, separately.
Later last night, in a telephone conversation, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and Qatar’s Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman Al Thani discussed the latest regional developments.
At the same time, an Iranian civil aviation official said Qatari aircraft bound for Europe or Africa can fly over Iran’s territory as of Tuesday, after four regional Arab states decided to suspend diplomatic ties with the Doha government and suspend air transport with Qatar.
Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt, and Bahrain all cut off diplomatic contact with Qatar on Monday morning, after officially accusing it of "sponsoring terrorism.” The administration of Saudi-backed and resigned Yemeni president, Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi, Libya and the Maldives later joined the camp in ending diplomatic ties.
