Saudi, allies trying to undermine Qatar's sovereignty: FM

Qatar's Foreign Minister HE Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani has called for "dialogue" to resolve the Gulf diplomatic crisis, while reaffirming that Arab states that have cut ties with Qatar were trying to undermine the nation's sovereignty.

Speaking at the Chatham House think tank in London yesterday, Sheikh Mohamed said Qatar welcomes any serious efforts to resolve the differences with its neighbours. "However countries imposing a blockade on Qatar should make the first move towards dialogue," he said adding "they should not expect from me a first step, I should expect from them a first step for engagement".

A view of the audience. Credit: Chatham HouseHe accused Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates of leading the campaign against Qatar and said they were "demanding that we must surrender our sovereignty as the price for ending the siege". He called them "aggressors".Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt have severed air, sea and ground links with Qatar."We sensed an understanding in European capitals that the blockade was illegal," he said.Addressing a packed audience of Chatham House members and international press, he said: “Dialogue and reason will resolve problems – not shutting down free discussion." He dubbed the crackdown on free expression as "intellectual terrorism".High-profile Qataris were in the audience including Qatar’s ambassador to the UK Yousef al-Khater and leading officials.The silencing of any voices of support for Qatartarget="_blank"'>