KUWAIT CITY: The US and the UK proposed a road map to help resolve the standoff between a Saudi-led alliance and Qatar during Secretary of State Rex Tillerson’s trip to the region last week, according to a Gulf official with direct knowledge of the matter.
The proposals include laying the grounds for direct negotiations based on an accord that resolved a previous dispute between the Gulf nations, as well as counterterrorism measures, the official said on condition of anonymity.
Tillerson has also proposed measures to ease tension, including the suspension of media attacks, the official said.
US and UK officials had no comment. Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt severed their diplomatic and transport links with Qatar last month, accusing it of supporting Sunni extremists and Iranian-backed Shiite militants. Qatar has denied the charges.
Officials from the Saudi-led bloc initially presented a list of 13 demands that Qatar rejected, included shutting Al Jazeera television, ending its support of the Muslim Brotherhood group and scaling back ties with Iran.
Now, the coalition is saying that the small Gulf country must agree to six broader principles including combating terrorism, denying financing and shelter to terrorist groups, suspending provocations and speeches inciting hatred or violence, and refraining from interference in the internal affairs of others.
