MANAMA, Dec 11 (NNN-BNA) – Bahraini Foreign Minister, Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, expressed disappointment, at Qatar’s “lack of seriousness,” to end its dispute with the four boycotting Arab countries.
He noted that, Qatar only sent an official, who lacked any authority or instruction to end the dispute, to attend the GCC summit.
“This lack of seriousness was clear in the way Qatar handled its participation in the 40th Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) summit in Riyadh, through the absence of Qatar’s Emir,” said the Bahraini minister.
Saudi Arabia hosted the GCC summit on Tuesday, as Gulf leaders discussed means to reinforce cooperation and integration in politics, defence and security, while reviewing regional and international developments.
Qatari Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, received an invitation from Saudi King, Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, to attend the summit, but he did not appear at the summit, despite the expectation that his attendance could lead to an end to the Gulf crisis.
Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt impose a diplomatic and economic blockade on Qatar since Jun, 2017, citing that the gas-rich Gulf country supports terrorism and interferes in their domestic affairs.
Qatar has repeatedly denied the charges, while rejecting a list of demands from the Saudi-led coalition to change its foreign policies.– NNN-BNA