Indonesia Calls for Dialogue over Qatar Rift with Arab States

Indonesian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Armanatha Nasir.

Jakarta, 11 Ramadan 1438/6 June 2017 MINA) – The Indonesian Government has called on the international society to promote dialogue and reconciliation amid the Gulf diplomatic crisis, in which several countries have cut ties with Qatar.

“Indonesia expects all parties to promote dialogue and reconciliation to solve this problem,” Antara News reported, citing Spokesperson of Indonesian Foreign Affairs Ministry Arrmanatha Nasir in a message received here on Monday.

Indonesia urged all countries to respect the international relation principles, such as respecting the sovereignty of each country and not interfering in others domestic affairs.

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, Libyas eastern-based government, and the Maldives have also joined in cutting their ties with Qatar.

Reuters reported that Saudi Arabia accused Qatar of backing militant groups and broadcasting their ideology, an apparent reference to Qatar’s influential state-owned satellite channel al Jazeera.

“Indonesia has asked all parties to unite in combating terrorism and contributing to maintaining regional and global peace and stability,” Nasir noted. (T/RS5/RS1)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)