Trump offers to broker meeting with isolated Qatari leader and Gulf neighbors By Dave Boyer
President Trump spoke by phone Wednesday with the leader of Qatar, offering to help resolve a tense diplomatic crisis between that country and other Gulf states over financing of terrorism and other issues.
The White House said Mr. Trump “offered to help the parties resolve their differences, including through a meeting at the White House if necessary.”
In this May 21, 2017, file photo, President Donald Trump, right, holds a bilateral meeting with Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani, in Riyadh
Nine nations have so far moved to sever diplomatic ties with Qatar, a nation of about 2.3 million which hosts a large U.S. military base. Saudi Arabia has cut all land, sea and air travel with Qatar, while the United Arab Emirates has closed airports and harbors to Qatari flights and shipping.
SEE ALSO: UAE says it will punish anyone who speaks out in defense of Qatar
In the phone call, Mr. Trump reminded Emir Sheikh Tameem Bin Hamad Al-Thani of Qatar of “the importance of all countries in the region working together to prevent the financing of terrorist organizations and stop the promotion of extremist ideology.”
Mr. Trump “reiterated that a united Gulf Cooperation Council and a strong United States-Gulf Cooperation Council partnership are critical to defeating terrorism and promoting regional stability.”
The diplomatic row took place just two weeks after Mr. Trump convened a meeting of Arab and Muslim leaders in Saudi Arabia, securing promises from more than 50 nations in the region to step up efforts to combat terrorism
Source:.washingtontimes.com