Qatar ‘end’ its funding of terrorism, says Trump

Washington : US President Donald Trump yesterday called out Qatar as a historic supporter of “terrorism,” urging both the Gulf emirate and its regional neighbours to do more to combat extremism.

“The nation of Qatar, unfortunately, has historically been a funder of terrorism at a very high level,” Trump told a press conference at the White House. “They have to end that funding.” 

“We ask Qatar and other nations in the region to do more and do it faster.”

Trump’s comments came after his top diplomat Rex Tillerson urged Saudi Arabia and its regional allies to ease their blockade imposed on Qatar -- while urging Doha to do more to crack down on support for terrorism.

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said, “We call on Qatar to be responsive to the concerns of its neighbours,” he said, speaking shortly after Saudi Arabia placed members of Qatar’s royal family on a “terror list.”

“Qatar has a history of supporting groups that have spanned the spectrum of political expression from activism to violence,” Tillerson said.

“The emir of Qatar has made progress in halting financial support and expelling terrorists from his country, but he must do more and he must do it more quickly.”