Qatar slammed for attacking summit

Manama : Bahrain’s foreign minister has lashed out at Qatar, saying that its stances against the Arab Summit to be held in Dhahran today and its position against Saudi King Salman Bin Abdul Aziz meant that it had no role to play in such pan-Arab gatherings.

“Qatar’s media attacks on the Dhahran summit and its ongoing abuses of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques confirm that Qatar has no place and no role in the summit and its representation in any way does not serve Arab national security,” Shaikh Khalid Bin Ahmad Al Khalifa on Friday posted on his Twitter account.

 “Everyone is optimistic about the Arab summit in Dhahran and its expected results in the service of Arab national security. Only those who sell themselves to the enemies very cheaply would attack the summit,” Shaikh Khalid shared with his 605,666 followers on the microblog.

For the Bahraini minister, the Arab Summit in Dhahran, the 29th to be held by the Arab League since its inception, will sent to the right and clear message to everyone.

“We are determined to build and develop and ensure benefits for all, but we are firm with anyone who targets Arab national security. We will achieve our goals, with the will of God, regardless of the time and the distance.”

Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Egypt on June 5 severed their diplomatic, commercial and travel relations with fellow Arab League member Qatar after they accused it of supporting extremists and funding terrorism. Qatar denied the charges and dismissed a list of 13 demands issued by the Quartet.

Efforts to mediate between the two sides, led by Kuwait, have failed to make any incremental change.

The Qatar crisis has been ruled out of the discussions between the Arab leaders when they gather for their summit in Dhahran.

Qatar said it would be present at the annual gathering.