Prince Faisal bin Farhan expresses appreciation to Kuwait for Gulf mediation

Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister says American efforts to end Qatar crisis could bear fruit

 Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, right, listens to Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud speak during their meeting at the State Department. AP Photo

Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister on Friday expressed gratitude to Kuwait and the United States for their efforts to end the Qatar crisis, describing the talks to end the crisis as “fruitful.”

The remarks came hours after Kuwait’s foreign minister said there were positive developments.

"We look with great appreciation to the efforts of Kuwait in order to bridge between different points of view regarding the Gulf crisis, and we thank the Saudi efforts in this matter ,” Prince Faisal bin Farhan, the Saudi foreign minister said in a tweet on Friday. “We are looking towards the success of these efforts for what is in the best interest of the region".

His remarks came just after Sheikh Ahmed Nasser Al Mohammad Al Sabah, Kuwait’s foreign minister, gave a brief statement on Kuwaiti state television. He said that discussions had been ongoing between parties under Kuwait’s new ruling emir, Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmad Al Sabah, and President Donald Trump over the crisis.

“Fruitful discussions have taken place in the past period, where all parties affirmed their keenness on Gulf and Arab solidarity and stability and on reaching a final agreement that achieves the aspired permanent solidarity between their countries,” Sheikh Ahmed said.

The foreign minister thanked Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law and one of his senior advisers. Kushner and other American officials just travelled to Saudi Arabia and Qatar to discuss regional developments in the waning days of the Trump administration.

Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the UAE froze ties to Qatar on June 5, 2017 as a result of Qatar’s support for extremist groups in the region. Qatar has backed Islamist extremists around the Middle East boosting the security threats seen by the four states in the Arab Coalition.

UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said Friday that Secretary General Antonio Guterres was encouraged by reports that the “Gulf rift is close to a resolution” and called for “unity” and an end to the crisis.

“The Secretary General welcomes the efforts and contributions of Kuwait in building bridges of understanding in the Gulf region and beyond and he hopes that all countries involved in the dispute will work together to formally resolve their differences,” said Mr Dujarric.