Solution to crisis in Qatar’s hands

Rabat, Mar. 2 (BNA): The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, has affirmed that the solution to the crisis is in Qatar’s hands. He added during a press conference at the conclusion of the fourth Session of the Joint Bahraini-Moroccan Committee held in Morocco, that the four countries “have clear demands and that Qatar must stop the damage and keep the Kingdom of Bahrain, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and the Arab Republic of Egypt safe from any harm.” The minister said claims by some people about intentions here or there are not true and the four countries were simply defending their sovereignty. The four countries are not imposing a siege on Qatar, but warding off its harm, he added. “Qatar’s interference is well-known; the evidence exists and the agreements signed in 2013 and 2014 stand as proofs,” he said, expressing hope that Qatar would fulfil its duty by committing itself to the signed accords. Morocco’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Nasser Bourita, said his country’s position regarding the Qatari crisis has been clear from the beginning. It stems from the brotherly relations that bind King Mohammed VI with his brothers, kings, princes and leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council states besides the close relations and strategic partnerships between Morocco and the GCC states. Bourita pointed out that the Moroccan-Gulf Summit has underlined this strategic depth in relations and emphasised the fact that Morocco was always concerned with developments in the Gulf and the GCC countries were always expressing full solidarity with it. He said that King Mohammed VI, through serious and al all-encompassing dialogue, kept interacting with all parties and pushing for the solutions that satisfy all of them and take into account their worries and concerns, noting that Shaikh Khalid has touched on some issues that have to be addressed.