FM Retno Marsudi in Phone Diplomacy for Resolution of Qatar Crisis

Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi

Jakarta, 13 ramadan 1438/8 June 2017 (MINA) – Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi spoke by phone with her counterparts of the Middle East in a bid to ease the crisis between Qatar and a group of Arab countries.

“I have discussed the development in the region and addressed Indonesias view and its readiness to contribute with Middle Eastern foreign ministers,” Antara News reported, citing Retno Marsudi in a release received here on Wednesday.

She spoke by phone with foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Turkey, and Iran before departing to Jakarta via Doha today.

Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, and Bahrain have cut diplomatic ties with Qatar, accusing it of supporting terrorist groups and opening up the worst rift in years among some of the most powerful states in the Arab world.

The four states announced the closure of transport ties with Qatar and gave Qatari visitors and residents two weeks to leave their countries.

Yemen, Libya’s eastern-based government, and the Maldives have also joined in cutting their ties with Qatar.

Indonesia addressed its concern over the current diplomatic crisis in the Gulf and called on the Middle Eastern countries to make efforts to reduce tension in the region.

Marsudi also called on countries involved in the Gulf diplomatic rift to promote dialogue and reconciliation in solving the problem.

She was on her way back from Nigeria to Indonesia. During a transit in Doha, she had a chance to meet Indonesian Ambassador to Qatar to get reports on the current situation in Qatar.

Protection of Indonesians in Qatar

Indonesian Ambassador to Qatar Air Marshal (Retired) Muhammad Basri Sidehabi stated that Qatar’s condition was safe and under control.

Data from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs showed that there are around 29 thousand Indonesians living in Qatar as of June 2017.

The Indonesian Embassy in Doha has established a special task force for protection of Indonesian citizens in Qatar.

“I hope Indonesian citizens in Qatar would communicate with the Indonesian Embassy if they need assistance,” the minister noted.

Indonesian citizens who need assistance can call the Indonesian Embassy in Doha through the following hotline number +974 3332 2875. (T/RS5/RS1)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)