Politics
13:43, 22-Jul-2017
Qatari Emir open to dialogue with four Arab countries
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Qatar's ruling Emir Tamim bin Hamad said his country remains open to dialogue with the four Arab nations that have isolated it.
He said in a televised speech on Friday that any resolution to the crisis must respect his country's sovereignty.
It was his first televised speech since the diplomatic crisis among other Gulf states erupted seven weeks ago.
He said Qatar is open to dialogue to solve all the pending issues. He also hailed the solidarity and resolve that Qataris have shown, and said it would make the tiny country even more resilient.
"Any solution to the crisis must be based on two principles: firstly, the solution should be within the framework of respect for the sovereignty and will of each nation. Secondly, it should not be in a form of orders by one party against another, but rather as mutual undertakings and joint commitments binding to all," he said.
Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Bahrain cut diplomatic ties with Qatar and severed air, land and sea links with it on June 5, after accusing it of backing extremist groups. Qatar strongly denies the charge and argues the isolation effort is politically motivated.