Qatar emir calls for 'unconditional dialogue' with blockading countries at UN meeting
Qatar emir calls for 'unconditional dialogue' with blockading countries at UN meeting
Qatar Emir Tamim al-Thani has told the UN General Assembly he is ready for dialogue with the Saudi-led coalition, but without pre-conditions from the blockading states.
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Emir Tamim al-Thani has reiterated his country's support for dialogue [Getty-file photo]
Qatar's Emir Tamim al-Thani told the UN General Assembly on Tuesday that Doha is ready for dialogue with blockading states, but it will not accept pre-conditions that infringe on its soveriegnty.
Speaking to world leaders in New York, Thani reiterated his call for talks but said the Saudi-led coalition - which has blockaded the emirate since June - must come to the negotiating table without preconditions.
"I stand before you while my country and my people are subjected to an ongoing and unjust blockade imposed since 5 June by neighbouring countries," he told the assembly. "[We want] an unconditional dialogue based on mutual respect for sovereignty."
Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt and Bahrain began a diplomatic and economic boycott of Qatar in June, blockading the emirate from air and land.
The quarter issued a list of 13 demands and five broaded principles to Qatar, which Doha has rejected saying it infringes of its sovereignty.
Among the accusations from the Saudi-led coalition are that Qatar supports terrorism and meddling in the region.
Emir Tamim told the UN on Tuesday that the reverse is more closer to the truth.
"The countries who imposed the blockade on the state of Qatar interfere in the internal affairs of many countries and accuse all those who oppose them - domestically and abroad - with terrorism. By doing they are inflicting damage on the war on terror," he said.
"We have refused to yield to dictations by pressure and siege."
The Qatari leader went on to call for the Myanmar government to end its violence against the Rohingya minority and accused Israel of blocking peace with Palestinians.
"I stand before you while my country and my people are subjected to an ongoing and unjust blockade imposed since 5 June by neighbouring countries," he told the assembly. "[We want] an unconditional dialogue based on mutual respect for sovereignty."
Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt and Bahrain began a diplomatic and economic boycott of Qatar in June, blockading the emirate from air and land.
The quarter issued a list of 13 demands and five broaded principles to Qatar, which Doha has rejected saying it infringes of its sovereignty.
Among the accusations from the Saudi-led coalition are that Qatar supports terrorism and meddling in the region.
Emir Tamim told the UN on Tuesday that the reverse is more closer to the truth.
"The countries who imposed the blockade on the state of Qatar interfere in the internal affairs of many countries and accuse all those who oppose them - domestically and abroad - with terrorism. By doing they are inflicting damage on the war on terror," he said.
"We have refused to yield to dictations by pressure and siege."
The Qatari leader went on to call for the Myanmar government to end its violence against the Rohingya minority and accused Israel of blocking peace with Palestinians.
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