Crisis could be resolved through dialogue: Turkish FM
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu reiterated yesterday that the current Gulf crisis could be resolved through dialogue and mutual respect. “The solution to this problem is really simple,” Anatolia news agency quoted  Cavusoglu  as saying during a joint press conference with his Macedonian counterpart  Nikola Dimitrov.
He noted that his recent tour, which included Qatar, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, was helpful,” stressing that his country would  continue its  efforts “to resolve the crisis at the international level as well as at the level of the Organization of Islamic Co-operation, which we chair the current session.”, he added.
Cavusoglu underscored  the importance of co-operation, unity and brotherhood among the Gulf states and with Turkey and the region as a whole, calling for action to resolve all the problems that were plaguing the region.

Qatar sure of European support in standoff: report
Sheikh Saud bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, Qatar’s ambassador to Germany, has said the ongoing “conflict has to be solved within the GCC, but we need a strong message from our friends in Germany and Europe, that everybody has to sit down at the table,” according to aljazeera.com
“Students from Qatar had to leave Saudi Arabia and the UAE two weeks before the exam. Due to the closure of the border to neighbouring countries, families are separated from each other,” he told DPA news agency. “You should not forbid people to travel.”
He pointed out that the UAE gets 40% of its gas from Qatar. “But we haven’t closed the gas pipelines because we don’t want the situation to deteriorate.”

Qatar artists pledge loyalty to nation
The opening of Qatar Fine Art Exhibition 2017 on Saturday was far from an ordinary occasion that features the staple ribbon-cutting and routine tours through the artworks on display. Instead it was the signatures of participant artists as well as media personalities, Kuwaiti artists and a crowd of citizens and residents whose collaboration culminated in a mural titled “Loyalty and Obedience to You, Tamim” in a show of solidarity during the blockade imposed on the country by a number of Gulf states.
As many as 60 Qatari plastic artists from different generations took part in the exhibition with nearly 100 artworks. The event is organised by Qatar Fine Arts Society and lasts for a month. Yousif al-Sada, president of the Qatar Fine Arts Society, said the idea of the mural was to highlight the loyalty and obedience of Qatari fine artists and exhibition visitors to HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, noting that HH the Emir has always been a supporter of culture and artists.
A number of artists will participate in workshops organised everyday through Thursday, with each of them painting a portrait for HH the Emir as an expression of loyalty to the homeland, al-Sada said. In turn, Qatari artist Mariam Youssef al-Mulla said that the exhibition shows the creative efforts of participants, noting that each work is unique in its own way.

Demonstrators in Istanbul march in support for Qatar
Turkish demonstrators took to the streets of Istanbul on Saturday to express their solidarity with the State of Qatar against the blockade and severing of ties by some Gulf states. The group gathered in front of Qatar’s general consulate in Istinye in the European side of the city. Fatih Kaya, head of the Public Special Operations Association, expressed strong condemnation of the charges levelled by the countries imposing the blockade. He praised Qatar’s efforts and support for Turkey during “difficult times,” adding that this calls for solidarity with Qatar and “returning the favour.”

Palestinian Scholars Association hails Qatar’s support for Gaza
Chairman of the Palestinian Scholars Association, Dr Marwan Abu Ras, yesterday hailed the role being played by the State of Qatar and its support for the Palestinian people and the besieged Gaza Strip. Dr Abu Ras urged scholars to say a word of truth and stand by Qatar, which supports the people of Palestine, besieged Gaza and Jerusalem, praising the contribution of Qatar’s charitable societies and its humanitarian role.
He called on the Arab and Islamic nation to unite. “We, the scholars of Palestine, pay tribute to all who stood with our people in Gaza and Palestine,” he said, saluting on their behalf the State of Qatar, which entered every street spreading joy in hearts of Gaza’s people. In this context,  Dr Abu Ras highly appreciated the efforts being exerted by the State of Qatar aimed at developing the Gaza Strip’s infrastructure and hospitals as well as providing continuous support.
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