Saudi-led bloc's demands difficult to meet for Qatar: US

International Desk: The US secretary of state has said some demands on Qatar by a group of Arab countries that have imposed a blockade against it "will be very difficult to meet".

Nevertheless, in a statement issued on Sunday, Rex Tillerson said the list submitted by Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt includes "significant areas which provide a basis for ongoing dialogue leading to a resolution".

"A productive next step would be for each of the countries to sit together and continue this conversation," said Tillerson, confirming that Qatar has begun the review of the demands issued by the Saudi-led bloc of countries amid the worst crisis in the Gulf in decades.

"We believe our allies and partners are stronger when they are working together towards one goal which we all agree is stopping terrorism and countering extremism."

He also called for a "lowering of rhetoric" to "help ease the tension" and said Washington is supporting a mediation effort by Kuwait aimed at defusing the crisis after the four Arab states cut diplomatic and trade ties with Qatar on June 5.

Source: Agencies
 

risingbd/Dhaka/June 26, 2017/A K Azad