Qatari FM, French diplomat discuss ongoing Gulf crisis

DOHA

Qatari Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani on Monday met with former French ambassador to Qatar Bertrand Besancenot in Doha to discuss the ongoing crisis in inter-Arab relations.

According to the official Qatar News Agency (QNA), the two men discussed the latest developments, including Kuwait’s ongoing efforts to mediate between Doha and four Arab states arrayed against it.

In June, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain abruptly severed relations with Qatar, accusing it of supporting terrorist groups and cozying up to Iran, Riyadh’s arch-rival in the region.

The four-nation bloc also slapped an embargo on Qatar, demanding that it meet a long list of demands or face further sanctions.

Vociferously denying the allegations against it, Qatar has staunchly refused to submit, describing the embargo as a violation of both international law and its own national sovereignty.

QNA provided no further details regarding Monday’s meeting between the Qatari FM and the French diplomat.

At a meeting last month in Paris with Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, French President Emmanuel Macron had urged the four-nation bloc to lift its embargo on Qatar as soon as possible.

Macron had also expressed his country's desire to play an “effective role” -- alongside Kuwait -- in finding a “speedy solution” to the ongoing crisis.

Reporting by Ahmed al-Masri; Writing by Ali Abo Rezeg;