World

Germany urges steps to defuse crisis in Gulf region

Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt and Bahrain said they would sever all ties with Qatar, accusing it of supporting terrorism

Reuters June 07, 2017

German Vice Chancellor and Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel (R) and his Saudi Arabian counterpart Adel al-Jubeir talk after a joint press conference at the Foreign Ministry in Berlin on June 7, 2017. PHOTO: AFP

BERLIN: German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel on Wednesday urged all sides to avoid further escalating the crisis gripping the Gulf, warning that disagreements among Gulf states could weaken the U.S.-led coalition's fight against Islamic State.

"We all - and that is also the view of my Saudi counterpart - are interested in avoiding any further escalation, because the region is already facing great tensions and challenges," Gabriel said after a meeting with Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir.

Arab states sever ties with Qatar for 'supporting terrorism'

Gabriel told reporters it was imperative that all members of the coalition fighting Islamic State banned any government or private financing of terrorist organisations.

UAE bans expressions of sympathy towards Qatar

Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt and Bahrain on Monday said they would sever all ties with Qatar, accusing it of supporting terrorism and Iran.

Asked about the policies of U.S. President Donald Trump in the Middle East, Gabriel said Germany did not support a policy of "pure confrontation" against Iran.