Russia FM calls for dialogue between Arab states, Qatar

DOHA, Qatar

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Wednesday called for a “de-escalation of tension” within the context of an ongoing diplomatic crisis pitting Qatar against a Saudi-led bloc of Arab states.

Lavrov made the remarks at a joint press conference held with Qatari counterpart Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani in Doha.

“We [Russia and Qatar] agree that solutions to the crises in Libya, Syria and Iraq can be found by promoting dialogue between various ethnic groups,” the Russian FM said at the press conference.

He also called for dialogue as a means of de-escalating an ongoing political crisis between Qatar and a four-nation bloc of Arab states.

In early June, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Bahrain collectively severed diplomatic ties with Qatar, accusing it of supporting terrorism in the region.

Doha, for its part, denies allegations, describing attempts to diplomatically isolate it as a violation of international law and its national sovereignty.

Speaking at Wednesday’s press conference, Al Thani thanked Russia for its ongoing support in the face of the crisis and praised Kuwaiti mediation efforts to resolve it.

The Qatari FM also used the occasion to reiterate his country’s commitment to Syria’s political transition process.

“Qatar supports the political transition process in Syria through the Geneva peace talks,” he said, stressing the need to “safeguard Syria’s independence and territorial integrity”.

Qatar, Al Thani went on to assert, “is ready to support all efforts in Syria aimed at easing tension and fostering stability”.

*Reporting by Emre Gurkan Abay; Writing by Sibel Ugurlu