Qatar is committed to implementing the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between Washington and Doha on the fight against the financing of terrorism, said US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, adding that it is important to build confidence at both bilateral and regional level to end the Gulf crisis.
“The United States is following the Gulf crisis and is concerned about it because it contributes to destabilising the Gulf region and undermines unity among the GCC countries, which the United States considers an important council in maintaining stability in the region,” Tillerson told a news conference in Washington.
He praised the efforts exerted by His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani in his interaction with mediation efforts aimed at resolving the Gulf crisis since the first day of the rift.
The Secretary of State noted that the United States continues its efforts and contacts with all sides of the Gulf crisis on a nearly daily basis, adding that resolving the crisis requires “significant concessions”, which the United States is now working with the parties concerned.
He stressed the parties need to sit down and start a dialogue on the causes of differences in order to reach a solution.
Tillerson asserted that the United States is committed to resolving this dispute and restoring the unity of the Gulf, because America “believes its unity is very important to help defeat the ISIS group (Daesh)”.
AFP adds: The US Secretary of State said he has asked two officials, including retired general and former Middle East envoy Anthony Zinni, to work to end the crisis.
On June 5, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt cut ties with key US ally Qatar, accusing it of backing extremism and building ties with Iran.
Qatar, home to the largest US air base in the Middle East, has denied the claims but has agreed to Kuwait acting as a mediator and has come to an agreement with Washington to fight terror financing.
The parties to the dispute are still not in direct talks, however, and Washington is keen to pressure its allies in the region to mend ties and work together against extremism.
Tillerson told reporters that Qatar is so far fulfilling its commitment to the United States, but that he had sent senior US diplomat Tim Lenderking to the region to push for progress.
“And I’ve also asked retired General Anthony Zinni to go with Tim so that we can maintain a constant pressure on the ground because I think that’s what it’s going to take,” he said.
“There’s only so much you can do with telephone persuasion.”
Zinni, now 73, was a Marine general who once commanded US forces in the Middle East. After the military he served as special envoy to Israel and the Palestinian Authority. Pages 2, 20
US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson
