UN chief expresses support for Kuwaiti mediation to end crisis

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will go on a brief tour of the Persian Gulf countries starting with Kuwait on Monday, August 28. During his tour, he will also make visits to the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, TASS reports. During the talks, special attention will be paid to the crisis in relations between Doha and a number of Arab countries.

While in Kuwait, the Russian top diplomat will be received by Emir Sheikh Sabah Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and hold talks with Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah. Lavrov previously visited Kuwait in February 2014.

In Abu Dhabi, Lavrov is scheduled to hold meetings with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed bin Sultan Al-Nahyan, as well as with Foreign Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

In Doha, the Russian foreign minister will hold talks with Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Qatari top diplomat Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdul Rahman Al-Thani and Defense Minister Khalid bin Mohammad al-Attiyah.

 UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres asserted on Sunday that he supported the efforts spent by the State of Kuwait to solve the Qatar crisis.

Following a meeting with the Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah on Sunday, the UN news center quoted Guterres as telling reporters that “the position of the UN is very simple: we are here to support the Kuwaiti mediation.”

The UN Chief added that his visit to Kuwait is an occasion to express deep appreciation and generate ideas about ways to strengthen the cooperation and dialogue between Kuwait and the UN, “as we believe Kuwait is an extremely reliable partner in our common commitment to peace and security around the world.”

Guterres also met on Sunday with Sheikh Sabah Khalid Al Hamad Al-Sabah, Kuwait’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, and both men discussed aspects of existing cooperation between Kuwait and the UN and its agencies, along with the latest regional and international developments.

During their meeting, Sheikh Sabah Khalid praised the UN chief’s efforts to uphold regional and international security and stability, Kuwait’s News Agency KUNA reported. The Secretary-General visited Kuwait as part of a regional tour before heading to Israel and the Palestinian Territories on Sunday evening.

For his part, Bahrain’s Information Minister Ali bin Mohammed Al Rumaihi spoke on Sunday about the presence of Qatari news spread by Al Jazeera channel to disfigure the image of the Gulf Cooperation Council. He said such news targets the Qatari viewers and aims to push for Qatari popular movements that demand Doha’s withdrawal from the Council.

Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat on Sunday, Rumaihi said he was sorry to announce that Iranian news agencies were also contributing to the campaign by promoting gains that Qatar could earn by withdrawing from the Council.