Senior journalist says blockade against Qatar will fail

ISTANBUL

A senior Palestinian journalist said Monday the Qataris' "strong solidarity" had managed to keep the country's economy stable, despite the ongoing boycott by several Gulf countries.

President of Al Sharq Forum and former director-general of the al-Jazeera network, Wadah Khanfar said the boycotting countries had expected Qatar to "be intimidated and surrender" immediately, but "that was not the case, as the administration and people showed strong solidarity, therefore basic human needs in the country were not negatively effected."

Speaking to Anadolu Agency in an exclusive interview, Khanfar addressed the crisis that broke out last week as Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Yemen abruptly cut diplomatic ties with Qatar, accusing Doha of supporting terrorism.

Mauritania added its name to the list the following day, while Jordan downgraded its diplomatic relations with Doha. Saudi Arabia also closed its land borders with Qatar, geographically isolating the tiny Gulf state.

Qatar strongly rejected accusations that it supports terrorist groups and called for a diplomatic solution to the growing tensions.

Khanfar said all the boycotting measures were taken at once.

There is "nothing else left to do against the country," he added.

'Blockade will fail'

Khanfar also said Turkey's attitude towards Qatar, constituted "a decision which is ethic and was taken in a good sense".

Last week, Turkey's president Recep Tayyip Erdogan voiced disapproval of the sanctions against Qatar.

Turkey’s parliament on Wednesday ratified two deals on deploying troops in Qatar and training the nation's gendarmerie forces. Turkish products can already be found in Qatari stores.

"The boycott also aims to demolish Gulf countries' solidarity. You managed to damage Gulf Cooperation Council. You provoked strong countries like Turkey and Iran. [...] You cannot be successful. You will be weak strategically and politically," Khanfar said. "This blockade will fail."

*Reporting by Muhammed Sheikh Yusuf; Writing by Satuk Bugra Kutlugun