Jul 21, 2017

WASHINGTON — Secretary of State Rex Tillerson today urged Saudi Arabia and its Arab allies to lift their blockade of Qatar as a sign of good faith following what he called “aggressive” efforts by Doha to address their concerns.

Tillerson made the comments alongside visiting Omani Foreign Minister Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah at the State Department amid signs the Qatar crisis may be easing. Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt began imposing a blockade on gas-rich Qatar in early June.

“I hope the four countries will consider as a sign of good faith lifting this land blockade, which is really having the most … negative effects on the Qatari people,” Tillerson said. “That would be … a good sign if the four countries would do that. And I’m hopeful they’ll consider that seriously.”

Oman’s leader, Sultan Qaboos bin Said, has a keen interest in seeing the dispute between rival Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) members peacefully resolved as his country braces for a possible leadership transition. In power since 1970, the childless 76-year-old has suffered from colon cancer for several years.

Tillerson said he’d seen “positive movement” in recent days.