Qatar emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani blinks, says ready for dialogue

Qatar's ruler said on Saturday that the Gulf emirate is ready for dialogue to resolve a diplomatic crisis with a Saudi-led bloc so long as his country's sovereignty is respected

Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani. Pic/AFP

Qatar's ruler said on Saturday that the Gulf emirate is ready for dialogue to resolve a diplomatic crisis with a Saudi-led bloc so long as his country's sovereignty is respected.

"We are open to dialogue to resolve the outstanding problems," so long as Qatar's "sovereignty is respected," Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani said in his first public comments since Saudi Arabia and its allies severed ties with Qatar.

He insisted that any deal "must not take effect in the form of diktats but rather through mutual commitments undertaken by all the parties".

State media said ahead of the speech that the emir would address "the future orientation of Qatar in light of the current Gulf crisis".
The emir said Qatar was "fighting terrorism relentlessly and without compromises".

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