Kuwait urges Qatar not to worsen tensions; Qatar calls Persian Gulf Cooperation Council future at stake

Emir of Kuwait Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah (L), Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani (C) and Oman's Foreign Minister Yusuf bin Alawi attend a summit on December 7, 2016, in the Bahraini capital Manama. (Photo by AFP)

Kuwait's emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah has called on Qatar to refrain from worsening regional tensions.

On Monday, al-Sabah called on Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to "work on easing tensions and refrain from taking any decision that might cause escalation." 

He also urged Al Thani to make efforts towards resolving differences, which have arisen among regional states.

Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt, and Bahrain all cut off diplomatic contact with Qatar on Monday morning, after officially accusing it of “sponsoring terrorism.” The administration of Saudi-backed and resigned Yemeni president, Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi, Libya and the Maldives later joined the camp in ending diplomatic ties.

The so-called Saudi-led coalition, which is currently involved in a war on Yemen said it was ending Qatar's membership. The measure, it said, was due to Doha's "practices that strengthen terrorism and its support to organizations in Yemen, including al-Qaeda and Daesh, as well as dealing with the rebel militias."

Al-Sabah’s request was made following a visit by Mecca Governor and adviser to King Salman Prince Khaled al-Faisal in which “bilateral relations… and the latest regional and international developments” were discussed.

[P]GCC future at stake: Qatar

Meanwhile, Qatar’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani has announced that the recent move by Arab states has raised serious questions concerning the future of the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council ([P]GCC ).

He added that his country would re-evaluate its relations with the council if it starts imposing foreign agendas or attempts to interfere in Qatar’s affairs.

Thani further stressed that the move to isolate the Persian Gulf country was an unjustified one based on falsehoods and built on a smear campaign.

He further went on to note that the people of Qatar would not be affected by the current situation and that life would continue in the country. 

Earlier, the ministry released a statement, expressing “regret and utter surprise” over the move by several Arab states.

"Qatar has been the target of a systematic incitement campaign that promoted outright lies, which indicates that there was a prior intent to harm the state," read the statement.

It further stressed that Qatar respected the sovereignty of all other [P]GCC  member states and had not interfered in their domestic affairs.

“Qatar is also dedicated to its obligation in the war on terrorism and extremism. It is clear that the media campaign against Qatar has failed, especially in [Persian] Gulf nations, which explains this escalation," it added.