Qatar does not want to sever ties with any country as the region is bound by strong family ties and warned the crisis stemming from an illegal blockade on the country undermines the GCC and makes human rights violations the status quo. Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Lolwah Al Khater said the goal of prolonging the blockade on Qatar was to damage the country’s economy and its developmental projects.
In an interview with The New Arab newspaper on the second anniversary of the blockade, she said the blockading countries failed in achieving their goal despite their relentless efforts. Al Khater said Qatar still has many options, adding the country is evaluating its strategy so as not to rely on the blockading countries even if ties are restored.
She stressed the stubbornness of the blockading countries and their inability to roll back the measures played a part in obstructing the Kuwaiti mediation efforts. She noted the blockading countries have been looking to normalise the situation by taking unfair measures against Qatari citizens, in violation of international laws.
Al Khater stressed that when it came to military and security-related meetings that take place regionally and internationally, Qatar remained committed to cooperation.
Expressing appreciation for the mediation efforts of Kuwait’s Amir Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmed Al Jaber Al Sabah, she said Kuwaiti mediation efforts never stopped and Kuwait is doing all it can to resolve the crisis.
Referring to the US efforts, she noted the US and Qatar believe that prolonging the crisis would undermine joint interests and the security of the region. She said the US called for keeping families together and allowing citizens their right of performing Umrah and Haj, something that was met with further stubbornness by the blockading countries.
She expressed regret that the blockading countries continued their escalation at various levels even during Ramadan, pointing out they did not hesitate to politicise this month through media to spread division.