*The disagreement is a transient no matter how long: Sheikh Sabah

The Emir of Kuwait has urged Gulf countries to settle their differences as a row among three of the Gulf Co-operation Council's (GCC) members and Qatar enters its eighth month.
Addressing the opening session of the 11th Meeting of Chairpersons and Speakers of Shura, Representatives Councils and National Assemblies of the GCC, Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah said the "deteriorating circumstances" in the Gulf "represent a challenge to all of us".
He stressed the need for co-operation, consultation and meeting at all levels in order to face the deteriorating situation in the region and the growing challenges before the GCC.
"We all understand the problems facing our GCC, and these problems require more meetings and consultations at all levels," he said. "We will never be able to face these challenges individually."
The two-day gathering in Kuwait City comes amid the region's worst diplomatic crisis in recent history.
GCC members Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates, as well as Egypt, severed diplomatic, trade and travel ties with Qatar in June, accusing it of supporting "terrorism".
Doha strongly denies the charge.
Kuwait, the main mediator in the standoff, has called for talks to resolve the dispute, but its efforts have been unsuccessful so far.
However, Sheikh Sabah said there had been some progress towards a resolution, but did not offer additional details.
"What we have in common is we will never be affected by a dispute," he said. "We see it as temporary, however long it takes."


(From left to right) Kuwaiti Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Sabah, Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah, Kuwaiti Parliament Speaker Marzouq al-Ghanim, Chairman of Qatar's Advisory Coucil HE Ahmad bin Abdullah al-Mahmoud, head of Oman's Shura Council Khaled bin Helal al-Maoli and Kuwaiti deputy parliament speaker Essa al-Kandari pose for a photograph during the meeting in Kuwait City of the heads of advisory council, parliaments, national and Ummah (nation) councils in the GCC.

The Kuwaiti leader highlighted the important role of the legislative bodies as representatives of the GCC countries in drawing the path of development, construction and communication "under these delicate circumstances which require all to realise the dimensions and risks".
He stressed that the Gulf entity has achieved over the past four decades goals and gains that enhanced its ability to fulfill the aspiration of its people and maintain its prestigious position among countries and international gatherings, adding: "What brings us together is greater than any disagreement that we see as a transient no matter how long".
Last month, the heads of state from the three boycotting states skipped the 38th GCC summit, while the UAE and Saudi Arabia announced the formation of a new economic and military partnership, separate from the GCC.
At the time, Kuwait said the council would continue to operate and carry out its duties despite the spat.
The council was established in 1981 to foster closer economic, trade
The Speaker of Advisory Council HE Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid al-Mahmoud is heading Qatar's delegation to the meeting.
The Kuwaiti Emir met with al-Mahmoud, who conveyed to him greetings of His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and his best wishes to the relations between the two countries .
The Emir of Kuwait entrusted al-Mahmoud to convey his thanks and greetings to the Emir.
The Speaker of Qatar's Advisory Council praised the speech of the Emir of Kuwait which he said included "a great vision and constructive ideas to maintain the cohesion of the GCC and remove all obstacles that hinder doing the joint GCC work".
Speaking Qatar News Agency (QNA) al-Mahmoud said history will record the efforts of the Kuwaiti Emir and his sincere initiatives to support the path of the GCC and activate its role so that it can achieve the hopes and aspirations of its people.
Al-Mahmoud confirmed that Qatar under the leadership His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani will remain loyal to the GCC, committed to its principles and keen to achieve its goals.
With regards to the meeting, al-Mahmoud said it is being held in delicate circumstances and amid great challenges, and expressed his trust that the parliament members in the GCC, thanks to their experiences, deep awareness to the needs of the current situation and the responsibility towards the people of the region, are able to effectively contribute to overcoming any obstacles facing the GCC's path, and to preserve it as the most important Gulf achievement and one of the most important Arab achievements.

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