The Organization of Islamic Cooperation welcomed on Friday the announcement that “fruitful talks” have been held to resolve the Gulf crisis.
The crisis erupted when Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt imposed a diplomatic, trade and travel embargo on Qatar in mid-2017 over its support and financing of terrorism.
OIC Secretary General Dr. Yousef Al-Othaimeen “hailed the efforts led by late Kuwait Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah in resolving the rift. He also highlighted the efforts led by Crown Prince Nawaf al-Ahmad and “those of the friends of the Gulf, starting with US President Donald Trump.”
He expressed the OIC’s keenness on the stability and unity of the Gulf and Arab region, which ensures the security and stability of the member states of the organization.
On Friday, Kuwait announced progress towards ending the row.
Kuwait’s foreign minister, Sheikh Ahmad Nasser al-Sabah, said that fruitful discussion had taken place recently “in which all sides expressed their keenness for Gulf and Arab unity and stability, and to reach a final agreement that realizes lasting solidarity”.
Gulf Cooperation Council chief Dr. Nayef al-Hajraf also welcomed the progress achieved in resolving the rift.
He praised the Kuwaiti statement, saying it “reflects the cohesion of the council and its ability to overcome all the obstacles and challenges.”
He thanked Trump and the “friends” who have supported the mediation efforts and believed in the unity of the GCC, its strength and central regional and international role.
He urged members of the council and the media to “positively look to the future and steer clear of anything that may create disputes between them.”
Oman welcomed the Kuwait statement and Trump’s efforts, saying they reflect their keenness on the stability of the Gulf and Arab region.
The Arab League announced that Secretary General Ahmed Aboul Gheit welcomed the efforts to end the rift, adding: “Any sincere Arab effort to end Arab disputes based on transparency and mutual respect helps boost Arab unity.”
Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister said on Friday a resolution to the dispute with Qatar seemed “within reach”.
“We have made significant progress in the last few days thanks to the continuing efforts of Kuwait but also thanks to strong support from President Trump,” Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud told a Rome conference via videolink.
“We hope this progress can lead to a final agreement which looks within reach and I can say I am somewhat optimistic that we are close to finalizing an agreement between all the nations in the dispute.”
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, speaking remotely at a Bahrain summit on Friday, said the United States was “very hopeful” that the row would be resolved.
