For the latest updates on the Qatar-Gulf crisis, click here.

Here is how the Qatar-Gulf crisis played out day by day up to February 16:

Anti-Qatar conference

On Sunday, a report on Buzzfeed revealed that Daniel Kawczynski, a British parliamentarian, was paid 15,000 British pounds ($20,700) to help organise an anti-Qatar conference in London.

At the time, analysts described the conference as an attempt to gather support for a coup in Qatar and accused Saudi Arabia and the UAE of funding it.

Russian president's invitation

On Wednesday, the Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani met the President of the Russian Republic of Ingushetia Yunus-bek Yevkurov in Doha.

During the meeting, they reviewed the relations between Qatar and Ingushetia and discussed aspects of cooperation in economic, trade and investment, as well as means of developing them.

President Yunus-bek Yevkurov handed a written message from Russian President Vladimir Putin, including an invitation to visit Russia.

Calls to end the blockade

On Tuesday, local media reported that Dr Ali bin Smaikh al-Marri, Chairman of the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC), called on the European Union countries and some other nations to join international human rights organisations demanding an immediate end to the blockade imposed on Qatar.

Louvre Map

On Monday, Qatar's National Human Rights Committee reported that the Louvre museum apologised and opened an official inquiry into the incident where Abu Dhabi's Louvre Museum map omitted the Qatari Peninsula.

Why did this exhibit at the Louvre Abu Dhabi wipe some countries off the map? pic.twitter.com/K9zw5uFNXS — AJ (@ajplus) January 22, 2018

Bilateral agreements

Anti-terrorism: On Monday, both countries held a session of official talks and signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the "fight against terrorism" and organised crime."

Sierra Leone: On Monday, both countries signed an agreement encouraging and protecting mutual investments and an agreement on air services between the two governments.

Sierra Leone was not among the eight countries that downgraded ties with Qatar at the start of the crisis.

Military intention

On Friday, Qatar's Defence Minister Khalid bin Mohammad al-Attiyah said Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates had intentions to invade Qatar at the beginning of a diplomatic crisis that erupted in June.

In an interview with the Washington Post on Friday, al-Attiyah said his Gulf neighbours have "tried everything" to destabilise the country, but their intentions to invade were "[defused]" by Qatar.

"They tried to provoke the tribes. They used mosques against us. Then they tried to get some puppets to bring in and replace our leaders," the minister said.

On Wednesday, Fikret Ozer, Turkish ambassador to Qatar said the country plans to deploy air and naval forces to Qatar in addition to ground troops that are already stationed in the country.

"According to the agreement signed between Qatar and Turkey in 2014, all ground, air, and naval forces will be deployed to Qatar," he told reporters at a press conference in Doha. Ankara and Doha would determine the "timeline of the construction of the necessary infrastructure and when these forces will be deployed through talks", he said.

UN report

On Tuesday, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt condemned the results of a report by the United Nations Commission on Human Rights (OHCHR), on how severing diplomatic and trade ties with Qatar has affected the country.

The countries also noted that it was within their "sovereign right" to cut ties with Doha in order to protect their national security interests.

Al Udeid base

On Monday, Qatar's Defence Minister Khalid bin Mohammad al-Attiyah said that Qatar will expand the US airbase at Al Udeid.

"It will very soon become family-oriented place for our American friends there. We want more of the families to be stable and feel more comfortable in their stay," al-Attiyah said at an event in Washington.

.@DeptofDefense Secretary James Mattis: The U.S. enjoys a longstanding defense relationship with #Qatar. We are grateful to Qatar for their longstanding support of America's presence and commitment to regional security, including information sharing & #counterterrorism training. pic.twitter.com/xIF7iswDhf — Department of State (@StateDept) January 30, 2018

Qatar-US dialogue

On Thursday, Qatar's Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani said that his country is willing to participate in a US-GCC summit next spring, provided that the blockading countries' motivation is based on real will and not coercion.

On Tuesday, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson called on all sides in the dispute to work to calm tensions, saying a united Gulf Cooperation Council bolstered regional stability.

"It is critical that all parties minimise rhetoric, exercise restraint to avoid further escalation and work towards a resolution," Tillerson said.

According to a government statement, the US-Qatar strategic dialogue initiative is aimed at stepping up cooperation between the two countries, "which share long-standing strategic interests at the political, economic, security, educational and cultural levels".

.@statedeptspox: Secretaries Tillerson and Mattis of @DeptofDefense will co-host the US-#Qatar Strategic Dialogue on January 30 to discuss areas of cooperation between our countries, including trade and investment, defense, security & law enforcement, counterterrorism & aviation. pic.twitter.com/gnQ0Afql7r — Department of State (@StateDept) January 26, 2018

Asian Champions League

On Saturday, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) said it rejected Saudi Arabia's request to have all matches against Qatar moved to a neutral territory.

"Clubs from Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates should be played on a home and away basis in 2018 as per the AFC regulations," AFC said in a statement published on its website.

Qatar-UAE condolences

Mother's death. On Sunday, Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad ِِِِِAl Thani sent a cable of condolences to the president of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahyan, on the death of his mother, according to Qatar's news agency QNA.

First contact. This cable of condolences is the first direct cable to be publicly announced between Qatar and the UAE since the beginning of the crisis, in which Kuwait assumed the mediator role.

The UAE has cut all relations with Qatar since June 2017 and has been accused by Qatar of plotting to undermine Qatar's currency.

In September 2017, Qatar's emir and the Saudi crown prince reportedly had a phone call in which the two expressed a willingness to discuss an end to the rift. As reported by state media from both countries, this was the first official contact between Doha and Riyadh since the crisis began.

Slave trade protests

UAE embassies. Protesters gathered outside UAE embassies in London, Paris and Washington, DC on Saturday to demonstrate against slavery and alleged abuses of migrants in Libya. Protesters also called for a boycott of the UAE, the main sponsor of the splintered government in the north African country's east region, where most of the abuses have been reported.

George Greene, a protest leader with "Boycott UAE", told Al Jazeera that the UAE was culpable for Libya's slave trade.

UAE backing. "There's a massive slave market in the Libyan city of Benghazi which is governed by a general backed by the UAE. The UAE is responsible for all of what happens there.

"Also, the Emirati city of Dubai has long been a city where women and girls from Nigeria, Liberia, etc, are trafficked. It has done little to combat the enslavement of Africans. It is for these reasons we believe the UAE has to be isolated and boycotted," he said.

World Cup

On Thursday, the minister of Foreign Affairs Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani told agencies that Qatar is confident it will host a successful event in 2022, despite the boycott.

Qatar's economy is now growing much faster than anticipated, and the country is well prepared to withstand the crisis in relations with its neighbours, Al Thani said.

Blockade effect

Essential medicines. On Wednesday, EuroMed, a human rights organisation, said supplies of essential medical equipment and medicines, including essential antivenom doses, are not reaching Qatar due to the blockade.

"The UAE have been a key player in the blockade, and their actions have had a special impact on medicine, commercial trade and separation of families, just to name a few," Sara Pritchett, spokesperson for EuroMed said.

Kuwait-Saudi relations

Kuwait denies summoning ambassador. On Wednesday, Kuwait's news agency cited a source at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs dismissing reports that it had summoned the Saudi ambassador to Kuwait.

According to the news agency, the meeting between the Saudi diplomat and Kuwait's Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled al-Jarallah was "just an ordinary meeting" for "talks on bilateral relations and the latest regional developments".

Saudi tweet. Last week, Saudi Arabia's Sports Authority Chairman Turki Al al-Sheikh criticised Kuwait's Minister of State for Youth Affairs Khaled al-Roudhan as "mercenary", for statements al-Roudhan made during his meeting with Qatar's emir.

UAE-Qatar tensions

No escalation. On Tuesday, Brigadier General Helal Saad al-Qubaisi of the United Arab Emirates Air Force said that he had instructions not to escalate the ongoing crisis with Qatar.

UAE military aircraft will fly alternative routes over Saudi Arabia to avoid the possibility of interception by Qatari warplanes, al-Qubaisi told reporters at a news conference in Abu Dhabi.

Louvre map

Map replaced. On Monday, Louvre Abu Dhabi replaced a controversial map of the Gulf that omitted Qatar.

"In this instance, the map represented the road of exchange of an ancient vase. The inaccuracy was an oversight, and so we have replaced the map on display," a statement from the museum read.

Qatar omitted from Gulf map. Last Thursday, the director of the Washington Institute Simon Henderson noted that in "Abu Dhabi's Louvre Museum, a map of the southern Gulf completely omits the Qatari peninsula - a geographical deletion that is probably incompatible with France's agreement to let Abu Dhabi use the Louvre's name".

The UAE's Foreign Minister Anwar Gargash and the Chairperson of Qatar's Museum Authority Al Mayassa Al Thani commented on Twitter about the map.

Why did this exhibit at the Louvre Abu Dhabi wipe some countries off the map? pic.twitter.com/K9zw5uFNXS — AJ (@ajplus) January 22, 2018

Riyadh meeting

On Monday, the ministers of foreign affairs of the four blockading countries met in Riyadh to affirm "their full solidarity with each other", as reported by Saudi Arabia's Al Arabiya broadcaster.

The ministers also confirmed their position on the 13 demands they had put forward to normalise relations with Qatar.

Qatar's defence

Visit to Mali. On Monday, Qatar's Defence Minister Khalid bin Mohammed al-Attiyah met Malian Defence Minister Tiena Coulibaly to discuss bilateral relations in the military and defence fields.

In December 2017, the emir of Qatar visited Mali as part of a tour in six West African countries. It was his first visit to the region since assuming office in 2013.

Recently, Qatar's defence minister also held meetings in Kuwait and the UK.

Kuwait-Qatar relations

Sports cooperation. On Sunday, Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani received Kuwait's Minister of State for Youth Affairs Khaled al-Roudhan, to discuss relations between the two countries in sports.

ِAl-Roudhan also thanked Qatar for its contribution to lifting FIFA's suspension of the Kuwait Football Association, and for agreeing to move the 23rd Gulf Cup to Kuwait.

Saudi Arabia's Sports Authority Chairman Turki Al al-Sheikh criticised al-Roudhan's statements in a tweet, describing al-Roudhan as "mercenary".

Defence meeting. Also on Sunday, Qatar's Defence Minister Khaled al-Attiyah left Kuwait after an official visit.

In November 2017, Qatar opened a military liaison office in Kuwait to "strengthen the bond […] between Qatar's armed forces and Kuwait's military command" according to Qatar's military attache in Kuwait .

2022 World Cup

On Friday, the secretary-general of Qatar's World Cup organising committee Hasan al-Thawadi rejected the claim that some FIFA 2022 World Cup matches could be played elsewhere in the region.

"Qatar is the sole host country of the 2022 World Cup and will host the 64 matches of the tournament across eight planned venues," Thawadi told the AFP news agency in a statement.

Qatari royal held in UAE

On Friday, Qatari local media released an audio recording of Sheikh Abdullah bin Ali Al Thani dating back to January 15, a day after his video statement.

In the recording obtained by Al Jazeera, Sheikh Abdullah said: "The Gulf crisis is based on interests and the desire of both Mohammed bin Zayed and Mohammed bin Salman to usurp the wealth and riches of Qatar."

Sheikh hospitalised. On Tuesday, Sheikh Abdullah bin Ali Al Thani was transferred to a hospital shortly after his arrival to Kuwait. He was seen in a wheelchair when he arrived in Kuwait from the UAE.

Family confirmed. Also on Tuesday, the family of the Qatari royal confirmed his arbitrary detention, according to Qatar's National Human Rights Committee.

UAE denied. On Sunday, the UAE's Foreign Ministry confirmed Al Thani's presence in the UAE, but denied holding him against his will and said he was free to move as he wishes, according to WAM news agency.

On Sunday, Sheikh Abdullah released a video statement saying he was "a prisoner" in the UAE capital, Abu Dhabi, and that if anything happened to him, "Sheikh Mohammed" is responsible.

Anti-Qatar propaganda

Paid campaign. On Thursday, NBC News reported that SCL Social Limited - a data firm that worked for the Donald Trump campaign - recently filed paperwork showing it helped spread negative information about Qatar.

According to the agency, SCL filed documents showing that the UAE paid it $333,000 for a social media campaign linking Qatar to "terrorism".

Qaradawi's sentence

On Wednesday, the Egyptian-born head of the Doha-based International Union of Muslim Scholars (IUMS), Yusuf al-Qaradawi, was reportedly charged with "incitement to murder", "spreading false news" and "vandalising public property" in an Egyptian court.

In November 2017, two Islamic organisations headed by al-Qaradawi were added to a "terror list" drawn up by four Arab countries blockading Qatar.

Qatar defence meetings

Defence minister UK trip. On Wednesday, Qatar's Ministry of Defence reported that the defence minister, Khalid bin Mohammed Al Attiyah, while in London, discussed the Gulf Crisis and joint efforts by the UK and Qatar in "combating terrorism and extremism" at the UK parliament.

On Tuesday, the Qatari defence minister met the UK's Secretary of State for Defence Gavin Williamson in London. The two discussed defence and military cooperation between Qatar and the UK.

Qatar-Nato agreement. Also on Tuesday, Qatar signed a security agreement with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) at their headquarters in Brussels.

Also on Tuesday, Qatar signed a security agreement with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) at their headquarters in Brussels. This security agreement provides the framework for the exchange of classified information. Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and the UAE have also signed individual security agreements with NATO.

Three-day visit. On Tuesday, El Salvador's Foreign Minister Hugo Martinez, who is on a three-day visit to Doha, met Qatar's Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed bilateral relations and the possibility of reaching an agreement to allow Salvadoran migrants who are forced to leave the United States to work in Qatar.

Direct flights. On Monday, El Salvador and Qatar also signed an agreement that opens the possibility of creating an air route between the two nations as Qatar seeks to expand its flights to Latin America.

En encuentro entre cancilleres de El Salvador🇸🇻 y Qatar se abordaron temas de interés bilateral en el campo político, económico y de cooperación. #CancilleríaSV pic.twitter.com/cmYp6piCRl

— RREE El Salvador🇸🇻 (@cancilleriasv) January 16, 2018

ICAO complaint. On Wednesday, the head of the UAE's civil aviation body said it would file a complaint to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) about "two serious incidents" and will "ask for the intervention of the council to stop Qatar from repeating the act".

On Monday, the UAE's General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) accused Qatari fighter jets of having intercepted two of its aircraft en route to Manama.

Qatar denied. Qatar's foreign ministry quickly denied the claims by the UAE as a "systematic attack" by the country to draw attention away from its violations of Qatari airspace.

Donald Trump calls Sheikh Tamim

On Monday, US President Donald Trump thanked Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani for "action to counter terrorism and extremism in all forms", the White House said in a statement that suggested a warming of ties between the two countries.

On Tuesday, Doha hosted the Turkey-Qatar Business Forum to boost bilateral trade and ease transportation through Iraq and Iran .

"We want to create a mechanism which makes transportation easier and provides a transit pass via Iraq between the two countries," Turkey's customs and trade minister Bulent Tufenkci said.

Emir's trip. On Monday, Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani arrived in Turkey to meet the Turkish president, as first reported by the Turkish Radio and Television Corporation (TRT).

In November, Erdogan had visited Qatar to attend the third meeting of the Turkey-Qatar Supreme Strategic Committee.

الرئيس أردوغان يلتقي أمير قطر في المجمع الرئاسي pic.twitter.com/Rz1DJK0FGu — الرئاسة التركية (@tcbestepe_ar) January 15, 2018

Military aircraft violates Qatari airspace. For the second time, a UAE military aircraft has violated Qatar's airspace, according to a statement issued by Qatar's foreign ministry on Saturday.

According to the statement, the violating military aircraft entered the Qatari airspace at 10:10am on Wednesday January 3, flying over the Special Economic Zone in Qatar.

From his side, the UAE's Foreign Minister Anwar Gargash said that "the Qatari complaint about the UAE's violation of its airspace is incorrect and confused."

Qatar files complaint to UN. Qatar filed a complaint at the United Nations Security Council against the United Arab Emirates, citing an airspace violation.

The complaint emphasised that the entrance of a UAE military aircraft into Qatari airspace was a flagrant violation of Qatar's "sovereignty and territorial integrity", as well as international law.

Qatar FM vows legal action over hacking. An investigation into the hacking of the state-run Qatar News Agency (QNA) website has revealed the involvement of two nations that are blockading Doha, Qatar's foreign minister has said, as he vowed legal action.

Qatar seeks international arbitration. Foreign ministry spokesperson Lulwa Al Khater announced the moves on Wednesday, days after a UN investigation said the blockade was negatively impacting the people of the region.

"We have already begun moving internationally to seek arbitration or [go to] international courts or UN institutions" to end the blockade, Al Khater said in a press conference. "All options are available for us."

UN reports on Qatar's blockade. The chairman of Qatar's National Human Rights Committee (QNHRC) said on Monday that the Office of the UN Human Rights High Commissioner (OHCHR) issued a report that criticised the blockade on Qatar as "one-sided", "arbitrary" and "characterised by racism".

The chairman of Qatar's National Human Rights Committee (QNHRC) said on Monday that the Office of the UN Human Rights High Commissioner (OHCHR) issued a report that criticised the blockade on Qatar as "one-sided", "arbitrary" and "characterised by racism". Chairman Ali al-Marri had called on the UN to dispatch an international technical mission to Qatar and the blockading countries to examine first-hand the alleged human rights violations.

Kuwait sentences journalist to seven years. A Kuwaiti court sentenced writer Fouad al-Hashem to seven years on Monday, charging him with insulting the state of Qatar, local media reported.

Kuwait's emir inaugurates GCC meeting. The 11th Meeting of Chairpersons and Speakers of Shura, Representatives Councils and National Assemblies of the GCC was inaugurated in Kuwait on Monday at 10:30am local time.

Sheikh al-Sabah spoke during the opening ceremony of the 38th summit of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), and called for unity between the Gulf States. "We are all aware of the conditions around us … and of their deterioration that represent a serious challenge to us all," Sabah said. "The situation is compounded with the obstacles on our GCC forward-looking progress, and this demands that we cooperate, consult and meet at all levels," agencies reported.

The two-day summit on January 8-9 will review the efforts of the GCC Parliamentary Committee on Enhancing Relations with the European Parliament, and will also review the Gulf parliamentary vision for addressing the threat of "terrorist" organisations.

Attendance from all six GCC member nations was confirmed by Kuwait's National Assembly Speaker Marzouq al-Ghanim on Tuesday, December 2.

Qatar's emir sends message to South Africa. On Sunday, Qatar's Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani met in South Africa with South African President Jacob Zuma.

According to a statement by Qatar's foreign ministry, Al Thani carried a verbal message from Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

The message spoke of the "brotherly ties" between the two countries and the latest developments in the Gulf region, according to the news agency.

Muslim scholar held over Qatar tweet. Saudi authorities detained Muslim scholar Salman al-Awda on September 7 and later imposed travel bans on members of al-Awda's family, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said on Sunday.

A family member told HRW that al-Awda was being held over his refusal to comply with an order by Saudi authorities to tweet a specific text to support the Saudi-led blockade of Qatar.

Qataris 'barred' from pilgrimage. Saudi Arabia has been accused of preventing Qatari pilgrims from performing the Umrah pilgrimage.

In its editorial on Thursday, the Al-Raya newspaper said Saudi Arabia has been taking arbitrary measures against Qatari pilgrims visiting Mecca.

Iran invites Qatar to OIC meeting. On Wednesday, Iran's Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani invited Qatar Parliament Speaker Ahmed bin Abdullah al-Mahmoud to attend the 13th summit of the OIC parliament speakers to be held in Tehran on January 17-18, as reported by Iran's news agency (IRNA).

The countries blockading Qatar are members in the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) but have strained diplomatic relations with Iran. They have demanded that Qatar followed suit with Iran.

Turkey looks to enhance cooperation. Speaking from Turkey during a promotional event for the turkishsouq.com website, Ahmet Arslan, Turkish minister of transport, maritime and communications said: "Our cooperation with Qatar will not be limited to e-commerce, it will become widespread in other fields and will pave the way for the two countries to work together elsewhere."

UAE, Saudi introduce VAT. A common agreement on value-added tax (VAT) for the GCC region will officially come into effect January 1, 2018, with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates announcing actual implementation, Kuwait's News Agency reported on Sunday.

Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and Oman reportedly decided to delay introducing VAT until later in 2018 and 2019.

QCB reserves increase. The Qatar central bank's international reserves and foreign currency liquidity rose slightly in November, official data showed on Sunday.

The reserves and liquidity, a measure of the central bank's ability to support the riyal currency, increased to $36.9bn last month from $36.1bn in October.

Qatar, Saudi deny "coup" report. Qatar's embassy issued a statement on Wednesday denying Turkish media reports of Turkish soldiers foiling an attempted military coup staged by Saudi Arabia. The embassy said the reports were baseless.

Saudi Arabia's embassy in Ankara issued a similar statement denying the report.

Kuwait says GCC to keep operating despite crisis. Despite the spat the GCC's work "will not be frozen or disrupted," Khaled al-Jarallah, the deputy foreign minister said on Wednesday.

Kuwait is expected to hold a conference that will bring together parliament speakers from the Gulf region on January 8 and 9.

Turkey sends new soldiers to Qatar. On Tuesday, a group of Turkish soldiers arrived at a military base in Doha, according to Qatar's Defense Ministry.The soldiers will join another group which previously arrived at Tariq bin Ziyad military base in the Gulf state.

Qatar's emir concludes West Africa tour. On Monday, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani concluded his trip around West Africa to Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Cote d'Ivoire, and Ghana.

"In Ghana, we have laid down the basis for a broader partnership, along with HE President Nana Akufo-Addo, paving the way to important bilateral projects in vital areas such as air transport, sport and food security," the Emir tweeted.

Qatar stocks fell in 2017. Bloomberg reported on Sunday that Qatar's stock exchange index is near its lowest in eight years, down by 18 percent in 2017.

Qatar won't compete in chess tournament. Qatar will not compete in the World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships hosted by Saudi Arabia in Riyadh from December 26-30.

According to the Qatar Chess Federation, their top national team will not compete in the tournament, because the organisers demanded that "the players not display the Qatari flag at any stage during the competition".

#Qatar has signed an agreement for the education of 600,000 children in support of #Mali gov. efforts in the fight against terrorism. We believe that education is crucial for tackling the root causes of terrorism. — محمد بن عبدالرحمن (@MBA_AlThani_) December 24, 2017

36 fighter jets. The US Department of Defense has announced on Friday that Boeing has been awarded a $6.2bn contract to manufacture 36 F-15 fighter jets for Qatar's air force.

Saudi footballers shun media. Politics has overshadowed football after Saudi Arabia's team refused to talk to the press on Thursday due to the presence of Qatar-based news channels, including Al Jazeera.

Gulf Cup begins. The 23rd edition of the tournament that was to be held in Qatar starts on December 22 in Kuwait. The tournament will see Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Iraq, Yemen, Bahrain and the UAE competing for the title.

Kuwait's Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Minister of Commerce and Industry Khaled al-Roudhan welcomed on Thursday the arrival of missions of all GCC member states to the football cup as "the most important sign of success".

Saudi permanently closes land border. According to a document issued by Saudi Arabia's customs directorate on Tuesday, the Salwa border gate has been permanently closed since Monday night.

Qatar's finances boosted . The Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) is seeing a surge in business as Qataris register more of their assets at home and multinationals boost their local presence, its chief executive Yousuf al-Jaida told Reuters.

This reflects nervousness among the country's elite that investments registered abroad could be frozen, as well as a desire by international companies to maintain close ties with the world's biggest liquefied gas producer, the chief executive said.

QCB launches investigation. "We will not stand by while our country is attacked in this manner," Qatar's central bank governor Sheikh Abdullah bin Saud Al Thani said on Tuesday, according to Reuters, adding that the central bank had hired New York-based law firm Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP to lead the investigation.

Qatar celebrates National Day. Qatar celebrated its National Day on Sunday amid the ongoing Gulf diplomatic crisis.

In a show of support for Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Qatar set a new Guinness World Record on Sunday for having the highest number of people take part in the creation of a portrait of him dubbed the 'Dignity Image', Qatar's Interior Ministry announced.

Amnesty International calls for end to siege. The human rights group said on Saturday that the blockade on Qatar is "arbitrarily splitting up families" across the Gulf region.

US official accuses Qatar and Turkey. Turkey's Foreign Ministry responded to Wednesday to remarks made against it by US National Security Advisor HR McMaster.

At a think-tank on Tuesday, McMaster accused Qatar and Turkey of having become the "main sponsors" of "radical Islamist ideology".

Turkey dismissed the allegations as "baseless" and called on the US to "cease all forms of cooperation with terrorist groups such as YPG".

Qatar budgets for blockade. Released on Tuesday, Qatar's 2018 budget plan projects higher spending on supporting food security projects.

Qatar's Finance Minister said that Qatar was determined never again to leave itself as vulnerable as it was in the initial weeks of the blockade, Reuters reported.

UAE official discharged. Yousef Al Serkal, president of the UAE General Sports Authority, was discharged from his position on Tuesday, according to local media.

Yousef Al Serkal, president of the UAE's local media had earlier criticised Al Serkal over a video that showed him hugging a Qatari official.

Qatar, UK sign fighter jet deal. BAE Systems and Qatar have entered into a contract valued at around $8bn for the country to buy 24 Typhoon combat aircraft, the British defence group said on Sunday.

Gulf cup to be held in Kuwait. "On the basis of consultations between the leaderships of both countries it has been agreed to transfer the Gulf Cup tournament to Kuwait," Qatar Football Association president Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed al-Thani said on Friday, according to local media.

Bahrain and the UAE confirmed their participation in the tournament, which will be held in Kuwait between December 22, 2017 and January 5, 2018.

Kuwait Football Association denied reported withdrawal of the Saudi football team nor any other team from the Gulf Cup.

Macron visits Al-Udeid Air Base. A video published by AFP shows French President Emmanuel Macron arriving in Qatar and visiting the Al-Udeid Air Base on Thursday.

President Macron also said he backs mediation efforts led by Kuwait to end the blockade, "with regards to the situation in the Gulf, I want to see a promise of reconciliation between its members".

Summit closes one day early. The GCC summit concludes on Tuesday, instead of Wednesday as originally planned, and all delegations left after the closed session.

Although it will be Oman's turn to host next year's GCC summit, Omani Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs Yusuf bin Alawi says on Wednesday that the summit will be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Kuwaiti emir says GCC structure might have to change. The structure of the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council may have to change in the near future to "have mechanisms to better face challenges", Sheikh Sabah said on Tuesday.

The Kuwaiti emir referenced the possibility of setting up a task force to help deal with future rifts within the GCC.

The Kuwaiti leader said his country will continue mediating in the dispute. "Our meeting today is a reason to continue the mediation, which fulfills the ambitions of our people," Sheikh Sabah said.

'Future of GCC in doubt'. Commenting on concerns about the current state of the GCC, Al Jazeera's Jamal Elshayyal, reporting from Kuwait City on Tuesday, said the council's future "is very much in doubt" as a result of Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain continuing to "rebuff efforts by Kuwait to try and find some sort of mediation to the crisis".

Our correspondent added that despite assurances given to the Kuwaitis that high-level delegates would be sent to the summit, "Saudi Arabia has chosen to send not even a member of the royal family but their foreign minister. Bahrain has sent a third-rate politician, their deputy prime minister, and the UAE hasn't sent a significant minister either."

Delegations arrive in Kuwait. Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Qatar's emir, arrives at the GCC summit in Kuwait on Tuesday.

Sayyid Fahad bin Mahmood al-Said, Oman's deputy prime minister, arrives at the GCC summit. He tells reporters upon arrival that Oman "profoundly expresses its appreciation of the efforts of Kuwait and its leadership to bridge the gap, coordinate positions and align viewpoints amongst member states in order to address all developments," according to the Qatar News Agency. Oman's ruler, Sultan Qaboos bin Said al Said, has given the efforts his "full backing", he adds.

The Saudi delegation to the GCC summit, which will now be concluding one day earlier, will be led by Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubair. King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud will not attend.

UAE and Saudi Arabia start a separate partnership. United Arab Emirates (UAE) announces that it has formed a new economic and military partnership with Saudi Arabia separate from the GCC.

GCC summit begins. Kuwait's News Agency reports the beginning of the 144th GCC foreign ministers meeting at the Bayan Palace in Kuwait City on Monday.

The 38 th GCC summit will begin in Kuwait City on Tuesday as a blockade by Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) against member state Qatar continues, six months on.

A press conference has been scheduled for 10:30am local time (07:30 GMT) on Wednesday, December 6.

Attendees are expected to arrive at the summit from 11:30am local time (08:30 GMT).

Only Qatar and Oman have so far confirmed their participation in the summit. Qatar said Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the emir, will attend. Oman said it will be represented by a high-level delegation.

Citing a diplomatic source, the Anadolu news agency said that Saudi Arabia's King Salman will also attend the GCC summit, while Oman 's News Agency said that its Deputy Prime Minister Sayyid Fahad bin Mahmood al-Said will attend the summit instead of Sultan Qaboos.

The talks were attended by Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir, Omani Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs Yousef bin Alawi, Bahrain's Assistant Foreign Minister Abdullah Al-Dosari, the UAE's State Minister Anwar Qarqash and Qatar's Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammad Al-Thani.

Qatar and Saudi to participate in the summit. "I will attend the ministerial council tomorrow and the emir will attend the summit," news agencies quoted Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani as saying on Sunday at a forum in Doha.

UAE: Summit unlikely to end crisis: "The reality is that the [GCC] summit will not bring a resolution to the Qatari crisis but nor is it intended to resolve disputes," reads a commentary published on Sunday by the state-run WAM news agency.

The commentary also suggested that UAE representatives will attend the summit out of respect for Kuwait's emir, adding that "respect for his status and his wisdom has the power to bring countries together."

GCC foreign ministers meet. Kuwait's News Agency reported the beginning of the 144th GCC foreign ministers meeting at the Bayan Palace in Kuwait City on Monday.

The talks were attended by Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir, Omani Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs Yousef bin Alawi, Bahrain's Assistant Foreign Minister Abdullah Al-Dosari, the UAE's State Minister Anwar Qarqash and Qatar's Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammad Al-Thani.

Qatar’s foreign minister said that the blockading Arab countries are evading dialogue with Qatar. Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said that Qatar is ready for dialogue if there are any positive steps, "but the blockading countries are avoiding sitting on the table".

He warned that the Gulf Cooperation Council and the unity of the Gulf states have become under threat in light of the crises experienced by the region, and said that "In the current situation and low-level representation at the GCC summit, we believe that the Gulf crisis will continue in the short term at least."

Qatar and Saudi to participate in summit. "I will attend the ministerial council tomorrow and the emir will attend the summit," news agencies quoted Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani as saying on Sunday at a forum in Doha.

Citing a diplomatic source, the Anadolu news agency said that Saudi Arabia's King Salman will also attend the GCC summit, while Oman's News Agency said that its Deputy Prime Minister Sayyid Fahad bin Mahmood al-Said will attend the summit instead of Sultan Qaboos.

UAE: S ummit unlikely to end crisis. "The reality is that the [GCC] summit will not bring a resolution to the Qatari crisis but nor is it intended to resolve disputes," reads a commentary published on Sunday by the state-run WAM news agency.

"The reality is that the [GCC] summit will not bring a resolution to the Qatari crisis but nor is it intended to resolve disputes," reads a commentary published on Sunday by the state-run WAM news agency. The commentary also suggested that UAE representatives will attend the summit out of respect for Kuwait's emir, adding that "respect for his status and his wisdom has the power to bring countries together."

Qatar's foreign minister said regional chaos a result of that a "power game". Speaking at the Mediterranean Dialogues in Rome on Saturday, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani laid blame for the region's biggest wars in Yemen, Libya and Iraq on "regional disorder, mainly driven by a game of power" being played out in Saudi Arabia.

He added that the lack formal mechanisms for smaller countries to submit grievances against larger nations were at the heart of the game.

Qatar denies mediation to save the Houthis. Qatar's foreign affairs media director Ahmed bin Saeed al-Rumaihi rebuffed a tweet by UAE minister of state for foreign affairs, who, on Saturday, accused Qatar of backing Houthi militias in Yemen.

Anwar Gargash tweeted that "Qatari mediation to save the Houthi militias are documented".

In response, al-Rumaihi said that it is unprecedented for an official source to declare something baseless and rooted in flimsy allegations.

Saudi Arabia to participate in GCC summit. On Friday, diplomatic sources told Al Jazeera that Saudi officials have no objections to attending a Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) summit in Kuwait.

IUMS pledged legal action. The International Union of Muslim Scholars (IUMS) said on Friday that the organisation's reputation has been harmed by listing in the terror list of Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt and Bahrain.

"A legal request will be submitted to the responsible authorities in the US and Europe to file legal claims to restore and compensate for the harm they inflicted on us. They have damaged our reputation," said IUMS in a press statement.

"We work for the betterment of all humanity, promoting equality, justice and peace in an increasingly troubled world," said Professor Ali Al Qaradaghi, the secretary general of IUMS.

France hopes to sell fighter jets to Qatar. French defence minister Florence Parly said on Thursday that she is hoping to sell 12 Rafale fighter jets to Qatar when President Emmanuel Macron visits the country on December 7.

"We've also been negotiating for months about the sale of a large number of armoured vehicles and we hope it will be concluded when the president goes to Qatar at the beginning of December," the minister told BFM TV.

Kuwait sends out 'invitations' for GCC summit. Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani received on Thursday an invitation from Kuwait to attend the upcoming Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) summit scheduled for December 5 and 6.

A diplomatic source confirmed to Al Jazeera on Wednesday that Kuwait will go ahead and host an annual GCC summit next month, and that invitations to all six member Gulf states were sent out.

QIA may invest in local projects . Qatar's Investment Authority CEO Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohamed al-Thani said on Wednesday that Qatar Investment Authority may invest in state organisations like Qatar Airways and Katara to cope with crises such as the boycott, the Gulf Times reported.

. Qatar's Investment Authority CEO Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohamed al-Thani said on Wednesday that Qatar Investment Authority may invest in state organisations like Qatar Airways and Katara to cope with crises such as the boycott, the Gulf Times reported. Referring to Katara and Qatar Airways, al-Thani said: "We will be supporting them financially, we will support them in their organisations, provide them human capital". In the months after the boycott, QIA deposited billions of dollars in Qatari banks to offset the imapct of the other Arab states withdrawing money from them.

Qatar Charity chosen as Arab Best Charity of 2017. Qatar Charity (QC), one of three Qatar-based charities accused of being involved in "terrorism", won the award for Arab Best Charity 2017 at the Arab Best Awards held on Wednesday in Marrakech, Morocco.

In 2014, QC was ranked first by the UN for its relief efforts in the Syrian, Palestinian, and Somali crises.

Bahrain's crown prince meets Tillerson. US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson met on Wedensday with Bahraini Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa.

The two discussed countering Iran's "malign" activities in the region and the importance of resolving the ongoing Gulf dispute, US Spokesperson Heather Nauert said.

Bahrain postpones trial of 'espionage' trio. Bahrain's High Criminal Court held on Wednesday its second session in the trial of three suspects on charges of having "intelligence links with the State of Qatar" and "revealing defence secrets to a foreign country".

In the first session on Monday, the trial was postponed because none of the suspects were present, while two of the suspects fled Bahrain and will be tried in absentia, Bahrain's News Agency reported on Monday.

In the second session on Wednesday, the first suspect Ali Salman attended with four lawyers. Still, the trial was postponed to December 28.

UAE's FM decries ICC complaint. UAE's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash accused Qatar of standing behind a complaint to the International Criminal Court (ICC) against the UAE on Tuesday.

London-based Arab Organization for Human Rights in the UK announced the filing of a complaint to the ICC's public prosecutor office against the UAE 'use of mercenaries' in Yemen.

Qatar Central Bank official warns against backfire. Qatar Central Bank official, Khaled al-Khater accuses other Arab states of trying to undermine its currency in offshore forex markets, Reuters News Agency reported on Monday.

Qatar accused in testimony trial. In a federal court trial of three soccer officials, the former president of Colombia's soccer federation, Luis Bedoya, testified on Monday against a "Qatari television representative", AP news agency reported.

Bedoya did not receive any money from Qatar, was not in FIFA's executive committee for the 2010 vote, but he accused an unnamed Qatari television representative to have offered "$10 or 15 million" for "South American support in the FIFA executive committee".

Still, the Colombia Football Federation supported Spain in the vote for 2018 World Cup host and the United States for 2022. It did not vote for Qatar.

Qatar's economy minister visits Tehran. On Sunday, Qatar's Minister of Economy and Trade Ahmed bin Jassim Al Thani has met with Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, Iran's news agency IRNA reported.

Al Thani and his counterparts from Iran and Turkey also signed a transportation agreement aimed at boosting trade between the three countries.

Qatar signed a commercial deal with Iran and Turkey on Sunday. According to Iranian state television, the deal is aimed to form a "joint working group to facilitate the transit of goods between the three countries".

The Financial Tribune said that Iran's exports to Qatar have increased by 119 percent in October 2017 compared to last year.

Calls for bombing Al Jazeera. On Friday, Dhahi Khalfan, a senior security official in the UAE has called for the bombing of the Qatar-based media network, accusing it provoking a bomb and gun assault on a mosque in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula.

Crisis hurts Gulf oil cooperation. Six months into the Gulf crisis, Gulf ministers have scrapped their tradition of meeting behind closed doors to agree on policy before OPEC's twice-yearly talks, an OPEC minister said on Thursday.

Kuwait's FM arrives in Saudi Arabia. Foreign minister Sabah Al Khalid Al Sabah arrived in Riyadh on Thursday in an unannounced visit to Saudi Arabia.

Kuwait is scheduled to host the upcoming Gulf Cooperation Council summit in December, while Bahrain has threatened to boycott the summit if Qatar attends.

Qaradawi-led Muslim scholars union blacklisted. Blockading countries on Thursday blacklisted two Islamic organisations and 11 individuals, claiming the entities and individuals are supported by Doha.

Qatar row moves to WTO litigation phase. On Wednesday, Qatar took the final step to start litigation at the World Trade Organization (WTO) in its row with the United Arab Emirates.

Qatar's PM highlights GCC's role. In an interview with Qatar's TV on Wednesday, Prime Minister Abdullah bin Nasser Al Thani said that the purpose of the Gulf crisis is to intervene in Qatar's internal affairs.

The prime minister also said that "Qatar is continuing to implement all its major projects, including World Cup projects, to be completed, God willing, ahead of time."

On the GCC, he said: "There is no doubt that the GCC has played an important role in alleviating or finding solutions to some of the issues in the region. The absence of the GCC's role at this time has a negative impact on resolving these issues. In addition, as part of our national responsibility to our people, it is imperative for all of us to work to maintain the existence of the GCC."

Egypt imposes visa on Qataris. As of Thursday, Qatari nationals intending to visit Egypt will have to obtain an entry visa, Egypt's interior ministry said in a statement issued on Wednesday.

As of Thursday, Qatari nationals intending to visit Egypt will have to obtain an entry visa, Egypt's interior ministry said in a statement issued on Wednesday. Qatari messenger arrives in Kuwait. Sheikh Jassem bin Hamad Al Thani arrived in Kuwait on Tuesday with a message from Qatar's emir to the emir of Kuwait, Kuwait's News agency reported.

The message was about the "brotherly ties" between the two countries and the latest developments in the Gulf region, according to the news agency.

Qatar's foreign minister ends 10-day visit to the US . Speaking in Washington, DC, where he has been holding talks about the Gulf diplomatic crisis, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said the blockade on Qatar by Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt is being used as an excuse to disrupt regional stability.

Germany urges work to bridge Gulf divisions. On Tuesday, German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel offered his Qatari counterpart a small piece of the Berlin Wall, saying Germany's post-war history was proof it was possible to overcome deep divisions such as those now plaguing the Gulf region.

On Tuesday, German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel offered his Qatari counterpart a small piece of the Berlin Wall, saying Germany's post-war history was proof it was possible to overcome deep divisions such as those now plaguing the Gulf region. "Especially in politically troubled times in which dialogue has sometimes slipped into the background, it is all the more important to build bridges, to emphasise the things that unite us and to help remove walls," Gabriel said at the opening of a new Qatar-funded Arabic cultural centre "Al Diwan" in Berlin.

Qatar urges neighbours to let nationals attend 2022 World Cup. On Monday , Qatar urged the four countries boycotting it to allow their nationals to attend the World Cup in Doha in 2022.

"We hope that the blockading nations see reason in this matter and allow for their people to be able to participate in this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," Hassan al-Thawadi, secretary general at Qatar's Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, said.

Qatar's defence minister discusses the Gulf crisis. On Sunday, Khalid bin Mohammed al-Attiyah, Qatar's defence minister, discussed the Gulf crisis and said that the country has never supported any extremist group.

He also said he has never experienced a crisis similar to this one: "I have lived through many events in the region, but the hacking of the QNA website to trigger the crisis was something very strange, with no precedent."

QNHRC decries Umrah restrictions. In a statement issued on Sunday, Qatar's National Human Rights Committee expressed its "deep concern" for the obstacles imposed by Saudi Arabia's authorities on pilgrims from Qatar.

Citing a violation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 18, QNHRC said that it will denounce the Saudi restrictions to the Human Rights Enforcement Mechanisms of the United Nations.

Qatar's foreign minister decries 'reckless leadership' in the region. On Friday, Qatar's foreign minister criticised "reckless leadership" in the Gulf region for a number of issues, including the Gulf crisis as well as the situation in Lebanon.

"We see a pattern of irresponsibility and a reckless leadership in the region which is just trying to bully countries into submission," Qatar Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said in Washington, DC.

'Solving the crisis is in Germany's interest.' "The boycott of #Qatar is threatening regional development and growth ... solving the crisis is also in Germany's interest," Germany's Foreign Office said in a tweet on Friday.

"The boycott of #Qatar is threatening regional development and growth ... solving the crisis is also in Germany's interest," Germany's Foreign Office said in a tweet on Friday. Qatar's National Human Rights Committee meets UN delegation. Ali bin Smaikh al-Marri, chair of the National Human Rights Committee in Qatar, met with a UN delegation from the office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Doha.

The delegation arrived on Friday to collect information on the negative impact of the siege on Qatar's residents and the citizens of the GCC countries.

Qatar participates in anti-ISIL meeting. On Wednesday, a Qatari delegation participated in a meeting of the International Coalition against ISIL in Jordan. Funding terrorism was one of the charges that blockading countries accused Qatar of when they cut off political, economic and diplomatic ties. These allegations have repeatedly been denied by Qatar.

On Wednesday, a Qatari delegation participated in a meeting of the International Coalition against ISIL in Jordan. Funding terrorism was one of the charges that blockading countries accused Qatar of when they cut off political, economic and diplomatic ties. These allegations have repeatedly been denied by Qatar. Erdogan arrives in Qatar. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrived in Qatar on Tuesday to attend the third meeting of the Turkish-Qatari strategic committee.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrived in Qatar on Tuesday to attend the third meeting of the Turkish-Qatari strategic committee. On Wednesday, Erdogan visited the Turkish military base in Qatar.

Qatar investigates UAE plot. Qatar has opened an investigation into claims of an alleged plot by the UAE to weaken its currency in the early stages of the Qatar-Gulf crisis, a government spokesman said Sunday.

Qatar has opened an investigation into claims of an alleged plot by the UAE to weaken its currency in the early stages of the Qatar-Gulf crisis, a government spokesman said Sunday. Qatar's finance minister in Sudan. Qatari Finance Minister Ali Sharif Al Emadi arrived in Sudan for a state visit on Sunday.

Emphasising the long-standing relations between the two countries, Sudanese media noted that Qatar "supported Sudan politically and economically when the country faced an international isolation".

Bahrain charges for "espionage with Qatar". Three people have been charged in Bahrain for colluding with Qatar, according to a statement released on Sunday by Bahrain's Public Prosecution.

Three people have been charged in Bahrain for colluding with Qatar, according to a statement released on Sunday by Bahrain's Public Prosecution. The three will be presented in court on Monday, November 27.

Erdogan to visit Kuwait and Qatar. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is set to visit Kuwait and Qatar between November 13 and 15, the Turkish presidency's information office said in a statement on Saturday.

Qatar's FM visits Oman. In a visit to Oman on Saturday, Qatar's Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani met with his Omani counterpart Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah.

In a visit to Oman on Saturday, Qatar's Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani met with his Omani counterpart Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah. Qatar Airways will not attend airshow. Akbar Al Baker, Qatar Airways' chief executive, will not attend the Middle East's largest international airshow due to open in Dubai on Sunday because of the ongoing Gulf crisis.

ITUC-Africa calls to end kafala. Commending Qatar's latest labour reforms on Thursday, the African Regional Organisation of the International Trade Union Confederation urged Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain to implement similar reforms.

Noting that the three countries account for 85 percent of African migrants workers in the GCC, ITUC-Africa will "step up its campaign to focus on these countries".

UAE planned to attack Qatar's financial system. A United Arab Emirates plan to attack Qatar's financial system has been revealed on Thursday in a folder of an email account belonging to the UAE ambassador to the US, Yousef al-Otaiba.

Ghana's FM visits Qatar. Foreign Minister Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey met on Tuesday with her Qatari counterpart in Doha to discuss "ways to boost multi-faceted bilateral cooperation".

Unlike eight other African countries, Ghana didn't cut ties with Qatar.

UAE airs song threatening Qatar . A new song featuring UAE singer Hussain Al Jassmi was aired on TV in the UAE on Tuesday night.

The song called "Tell Qatar" criticises Qatar's policies and warns it against crossing into "danger".

Qatar Foundation to sell $1.46bn investment. Three Pillars Pte Ltd, an affiliate of the Qatar Foundation, has put up for sale its $1.46bn stake in Indian telecoms carrier, Bharti Airtel Ltd, on Tuesday.

Qatari companies and Qatar's sovereign wealth fund have liquidated several foreign assets since the Saudi-led quartet imposed economic sanctions on it.

King of Morocco on Gulf tour. King Mohammed VI of Morocco has arrived in Abu Dhabi for a five-day visit. The king is also due to pay an official visit to Qatar on November 12.

Qatar's Emir receives Omani minister. On Tuesday, Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani received the interior minister of Oman, Sayyid Hamoud bin Mohammed Al Said. They reviewed the latest developments in the region.

On Tuesday, Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani received the interior minister of Oman, Sayyid Hamoud bin Mohammed Al Said. They reviewed the latest developments in the region. Qatar to chair WTO committee. Qatar's Ministry of Economy and Commerce announced on Tuesday that Sheikh Ali bin Alwaleed Al Thani was appointed as the head of the Trade-Related Investment Measures (TRIMs) committee at the World Trade Organization in Geneva.

In August, Qatar filed a complaint with the WTO over the blockade imposed on it by Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates.

GCC and EU discuss counter-terrorism: Gulf Cooperation Council official Abdulaziz al-Owaisheq and Belgium's deputy foreign minister, Ashton Drake, met on Monday in Riyadh to discuss regional developments and the efforts of the GCC and the European Union to counter "extremism".

Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the UAE are blockading Qatar, alleging that it funds "terrorist organisations", an accusation Qatar strongly denies. Bahrain has also called to freeze Qatar's membership in the GCC.

Saudi FM: Dispute with Qatar 'very small' . In an interview with CNN on Monday, Adel al-Jubeir, the Saudi foreign minister, said the issue with Qatar is "very small" and "should not distract people".

Al-Jubeir also said that the Gulf countries are not seeking regime change in Qatar. "This is not our policy," he said. "Our policy is to see a change in behaviour."

Qatar Airways acquires a stake in Cathay Pacific. On Monday, state-owned Qatar Airways acquired its first major stake in an Asian airline, which could potentially allow it to increase traffic through its Doha hub.

Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the UAE had forbidden Qatar Airways from flying over their airspace, whereas other airlines departing from Qatar would have to inform them at least 24 hours before flying over the airspace.

New Bahraini restrictions. Bahrain's Ministry of Interior announced on Sunday that Bahrainis in Qatar should use their passports to move between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the State of Qatar, and can no longer just use their national ID as is the case with other GCC countries.

Turkey, Qatar ministers talks transportation, military ties

Turkey and Qatar are assessing land, sea, and air transportation opportunities, said Turkish Transport, Maritime Affairs and Communication Minister Ahmet Arslan on Sunday in Doha. He called for pursuing dialogue to solve the Gulf crisis, which began in June.

Qatar Airways will commence flights between Adana in southern Turkey and Doha starting on Monday.

Turkish Defence Minister Nurettin Canikli met his Qatari counterpart Khalid bin Mohammad Al Attiyah in Doha on Saturday to discuss military cooperation. Turkey's parliament has ratified two treaties on deploying troops to Qatar and training the country's security forces.

Bahrain has claimed the right to take Qatari territory, as tensions between the two Gulf countries heighten amid political deadlock.

A press release published on the country's state news agency on Saturday said that Bahrain had "every right to claim what was cut off forcibly from its land and to dispute the legitimacy of the Qatari rule".

The statement, which references a historical border dispute that was solved by an international court in 2001, did not specify whether Bahrain intends to take any action.

Qatar FM: Doha ready for dialogue to resolve the crisis

Speaking at the World Policy Conference in Morocco, Qatar's Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said Doha is committed to resolving the conflict through dialogue.

Al Thani said the crisis had no basis and expressed hope that the countries imposing the blockade on Qatar would agree to engage in dialogue as well. He added that the region is already reeling with other conflicts and that another "artificial" crisis will not help the situation.

Foreign ministers of Saudi-led bloc hold talks in Abu Dhabi

The foreign ministers of a Saudi-led bloc boycotting Qatar have held talks in Abu Dhabi, according to Egypt's foreign ministry. The top diplomats of Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain met on the sidelines of the Sir Bani Yas Forum, ministry spokesman Ahmed Abu Zeid said on Twitter.

He said the meeting "reflected common interests", without giving more details. On Friday, Egyptian authorities said Sameh Shoukry, Egypt's foreign minister, would attend the 8th annual session of Sir Bani Yas forum to discuss a host of issues, including the Qatari crisis, the Middle East peace process and developments in Iraq and Libya.

The meeting comes just days after Bahrain's foreign minister, Khalid Al Khalifa, suggested explicitly on his Twitter account freezing Qatar's membership at the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). The minister also said that Bahrain would not participate in the GCC meetings if Qatar is present at the upcoming GCC summit.

The US Department of State has approved a deal for the support programme of Qatar's F-15 fighter aircraft at an estimated cost of $1.1bn.

In June, Qatar and the US signed a $12bn agreement in which Doha bought 72 of the multi-role fighter jets.

The Pentagon said it had informed Congress of the agreement involving design and construction work, including the development of cybersecurity, protection, support and other related services.

Bahrain has charged the leader of the country's outlawed main opposition party with "spying" and suggested the 2011 Arab Spring protests that gripped the country were instigated by a "foreign country".

Bahrain's public prosecutor charged Ali Salman, secretary-general of the al-Wefaq party, and Hassan Sultan, a former member of parliament, of colluding with Qatar to carry out "hostile acts" in Bahrain.

"The defendants had received financial support from Qatar for carrying out their activities aimed at harming the status and interests of the kingdom," the statement read.

Qatar has expressed regret over Bahrain's decision to impose an entry visa on Qatari nationals and residents amid a political deadlock between the Gulf countries.

Ali Khalfan al-Mansouri, the country's representative to the United Nations in Geneva, said in a statement on Tuesday that these "unprecedented measures in the Gulf states constitute a flagrant violation of the agreements and resolutions of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)".

Bahrain's move, which will be effective from November 10, "reveals its persistence in severing ties of kinship between the Gulf families in contravention of the provisions and principles of the Islamic religion," al-Mansouri continued.

Italian Parliament Delegation in Doha

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad Al-Muraikhi met on Wednesday with a delegation of the Italian Parliament currently visiting the country.

In August this year, Italy signed a 5bn-euro ($5.9bn) agreement with Qatar's naval forces.

During this meeting, they discussed means of enhancing the prospects of cooperation, developments in the region and a number of issues of mutual interest.

GCC: Solution with royal leaders

In a statement, GCC Secretary-General Abdul Latif al-Zayani said the solution to the months-long diplomatic crisis is not down to him, but to the responsibility of the hands of the Gulf leaders.













"Qatari officials and media know well that resolving the crisis and ending its repercussions is in the hands of the royal leaders of the GCC member states," he said.













Al-Zayani, who is Bahraini, also rejected what he said was an "irresponsible media attack" by some Qatari media to link his nationality with the way he had been dealing with the crisis.













Bahrain is one of the three GCC member-states blockading Qatar.

IMF: Qatar-GCC rift could weaken medium-term growth prospects

The economic impact of the diplomatic rift between Qatar and its Gulf neighbours has so far been limited, but a prolonged crisis could weaken the region's mid-term growth, the IMF has said.













In its Regional Economic Outlook released on Tuesday, the IMF warned that if the crisis drags on, it will "weaken medium-term growth prospects, not only for Qatar but also for other GCC countries."













If the rift continues, it will "slow progress toward greater GCC integration and cause a broader erosion of confidence, reducing investment and growth, and increasing funding costs in Qatar and possibly the rest of the GCC," the report said.

The king of Bahrain has said his country will not take part in any summit or meeting attended by Qatar unless Doha "corrects its approach".













Bahraini King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa on Monday said that Qatar had shown that it did not respect the treaties and charters that the Gulf Corporation Council (GCC) was founded upon, according to BNA, the kingdom's official news agency.













"As long as Qatar continues this approach, the Kingdom of Bahrain cannot participate in any GCC Summit or meeting attended by Qatar unless it corrects its approach, comes to its senses, and responds to the demands of the countries that suffered so much from its policies," he said during his weekly cabinet meeting in the capital, Manama.













The Bahraini king also issued a directive to impose visas on Qatari nationals planning to visit the tiny kingdom.













There was no immediate response from Qatar.

US treasury secretary vows cooperation with Qatar against 'terror financing'

US Secretary of Treasury Steven Mnuchin has vowed to "enhance" US cooperation with Qatar "to counter the "financing of terrorism".













Mnuchin was in Doha on Monday to hold a meeting with his Qatari counterpart Ali Shareef al-Emadi, as well as the country's emir and prime minister.













In a statement, Mnuchin said, "We affirm that the United States and Qatar will significantly increase our cooperation on these issues to ensure that Qatar is a hostile environment for terrorist financing".













For his part, al-Emadi said that the latest agreement with the US "is a clear indicator of our long-standing political commitment to combatting money laundering and terror financing".

Turkish exports to Qatar in the four months following a blockade imposed by a Saudi-led group of countries jumped by 90 percent to $216m, according to the Aegean Exporters' Association (EIB).













In a statement, the EIB also said Turkey's exports to the Gulf county in the first nine months of 2017 were up by 29 percent to $382m compared to the same period last year.

US Treasury Secretary visits Qatar

Steven Mnuchin arrived in Doha for a meeting with the Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and a number of Qatari officials, including the Finance Minister Ali Shareef al-Emadi.













The visit is part of his four-leg tour of the Middle East, which includes stops in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Israel.

Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani has said he wanted an end to the Gulf dispute, and that "Nothing is going to be above our dignity, our sovereignty. But we want it to end. I always say that."













"If they (are) going to walk one meter toward me, I'm willing to walk 10,000 miles towards them," he told 60 Minutes programme in an interview aired on Sunday.













"I'm fearful that if anything happens, if any military act happens, this region will be in chaos," he said.













The emir of Qatar has also said that the Doha-based Al Jazeera television network will not be closed down as demanded by the four countries.













Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani said a group of Arab states blockading Qatar for almost five months is seeking "regime change".













"We want freedom of speech for the people of the region, and they're not happy with that, and so they think that this is a threat to them."

The foreign minister of Bahrain has called for Qatar to be frozen out of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).













Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa wrote on Twitter that Bahrain would not attend the upcoming GCC Summit unless Qatar met the demands of the blockading countries.













The GCC is a political and economic alliance of countries in the Arabian peninsula, including Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

European MP visits Qatar

Qatar's Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani met with the Michele Alliot-Marie, Chair of the European Parliament's Delegation for relations with the Arabian Peninsula (DARP).













The two discussed the latest developments in the Gulf crisis and ways to develop the relations between Qatar and the EU, according to Qatar's Foreign Ministry.













Alliot-Marie was in Kuwait on Friday, as part of a tour that also includes Qatar and Saudi Arabia.













DARP works to "ensure that the European Parliament's position is taken into account in all policy areas pertaining to the EU's relations with the countries in the Arabian Peninsula".

US envoy retracts Qatar funding Hamas comments

Nikki Haley, the United States ambassador to the United Nations, has retracted previous comments in which she claimed that Qatar was funding the Gaza-based Palestinian political movement Hamas.











Her reported comments, made in a memo to Congress obtained by BuzzFeed, come as the US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson expressed support in resolving the Gulf crisis.











According to BuzzFeed, Haley said "While the Qatari government does not fund Hamas, it does allow Hamas political representatives to be based in Qatar, which Qatar believes limits Iran's influence and pressure over Hamas ... Qatar has committed to take action against terrorist financing, including shutting down Hamas bank accounts."











This is a reversal of her position at the start of the crisis in which she viewed the blockade as an "opportunity" to tell Qatar to "quit funding Hamas".

The Qatari emir says the US president has offered to hold a meeting at his retreat in Camp David to put an end to the Gulf diplomatic crisis.













Speaking to the US television programme 60 Minutes, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani said Trump plans to bring the Gulf neighbours together in a bid to mediate in the dispute.











"It is true, he [Trump] suggested that we come," Sheikh Tamim told CBS News' 60 Minutes about the US president's offer to hold a meeting at Camp David.













"I told him straight away, 'Mr President, we are very ready, I've been asking for dialogue from day one'."













When asked by host Charlie Rose about the blockading countries' reaction, the emir replied: "It was supposed to be very soon, this meeting, but I don't have any responses."

Saudi's crown prince says Gulf-Qatar rift a 'very small issue'

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has said that his country's dispute with Qatar has not affected its military operation in Yemen.











In an exclusive interview with Reuters news agency, he said, "Qatar is a very, very, very small issue."











Mohammed bin Salman said that its war in Yemen would continue in order to prevent the Houthi rebels from turning into another "Hezbollah" on Saudi Arabia's southern border.

Former Qatari PM voices concern over Gulf crisis

Former Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad Bin Jasim Al Thani has called on King Salman bin Abdel Aziz al Saud of Saudi Arabia "to take the initiative", help the region, and work to resolve the current Gulf crisis.











The former PM said King Salman should act before those who work in the opposite direction destroy the region, expressing dismay over the deterioration of relations between GCC member nations.











He also praised the emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah, and his efforts to resolve the dispute calling his efforts "herculean".











All parties made mistakes in the past, including Qatar, but Qatar has never acted with ill intent or malice against any of its Arab brothers especially its GCC partner, he told Qatar TV.











He rejected that Doha has acted against Riyadh, but stressed that his country has always coordinated and aligned its foreign policy especially regarding Iran, Yemen and Syria with the "Big Sister" Saudi Arabia.

Qatar and Russia sign military agreements

Qatar and Russia have signed military agreements related to air defences and military supplies, Qatar's Armed Forces said a statement.













The deals were signed during a visit by Russian Defence minister Sergey Shouigu to Qatar on Wednesday.













Shouigu held a meeting with his Qatari counterpart Khaled bin Mohammed al-Attiya, during which they discussed the Gulf crisis, the war in Syria, and efforts in combat terrorism.

Qatar has reiterated its readiness for dialogue to solve the GCC crisis and called on its citizens and media outlets to refrain from attacking "Gulf symbols".













A statement by Qatar's foreign ministry on Tuesday was in response to a call by the Kuwaiti emir, Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah, for all sides to de-escalate the ongoing Gulf crisis.













The statement said Doha "hailed the appeal" made by the Kuwaiti leader and did not seek to "escalate the situation".













"Qatar has a strong belief in the fairness of its position in this crisis and its adherence to dialogue based on mutual respect, on the basis of its principles and values," the statement read.

Kuwait warns against escalation

Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah has warned of dangers of escalation in the Gulf crisis, cautioning that the collapse of the Gulf Cooperation Council would be the end of one of the last bastions of Arab cooperation.











"We must be aware of the risks of escalation in the Gulf Crisis," Sheikh Sabah said at a session of the Kuwaiti parliament, explaining that the crisis could worsen.













The Emir stressed that the crisis is at the top of Kuwait's agenda and that the country's aim is to resolve the issue and to protect the GCC from collapse, adding that every side is depending on Kuwaiti mediation.

Saudi FM on Iran and Qatar

Saudi Arabia supports US President Donald Trump's stance on Iran after he decided not to certify that Tehran is complying with a nuclear accord, Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said on Tuesday.













"(Iran's behaviour) is not acceptable, and there will be consequences to the Iranians. This is what President Trump has said, and we are very supportive of that," Jubeir said at a conference in London.













Asked about the latest developments in the Qatar crisis Jubeir said: "the matter is up to Qatar."

Turkey is seeking to further boost cooperation with Qatar in health and pharmaceutical sectors Fikret Ozer ambassador of Turkey to Qatar, said on Tuesday.













In 2017 the exports to Qatar increased after the siege was imposed. Turkish media reported Qatar would invest a further $19bn in Turkey in 2018, with $650m going to agriculture and livestock.













"We are bringing many products here, but there is no land route between Turkey and Qatar. But now there is a cooperation between Qatar and Iran and Turkey, and there will be a new route between these countries. In due time, we will announce the agreement, which will be signed by the relevant ministers," the ambassador explained.

UAE hires US firm close to Steve Bannon to launch an anti-Qatar campaign

A company with "close ties" with Steve Bannon, ex-chief strategist of Donald Trump, was hired by the United Arab Emirates to launch a social media campaign against Qatar, US website McClatchy has reported.













McClatchy said that a $330,000 contract was paid by the UAE to the firm to launch a social media campaign that included calling for the boycott of Qatar.













The hired firm, SCL Social Limited, is part of the same group as Cambridge Analytica. Cambridge Analytica is the firm that Donald Trump hired during his presidential campaign to reach voters with "hyper-targeted online messaging", the website said.

Police interrogation of Hamood Sultan

Bahrain's former football goalkeeper Hamood Sultan was briefly detained by police in Bahrain on Monday, triggering a social media outcry with the hashtag #حمود_سلطان (his name in Arabic).













Later on Monday, a video on social media showed Sultan saying: "There is nothing.. the matter was simple". In the video, Sultan also praised the King of Bahrain and thanked those who have asked about him.













Sultan previously worked in Qatar for Al Kass Sports TV Channels and had praised Qatar. Public expressions of sympathy towards Qatar are criminalised by law in Bahrain and the UAE.

Qatari chief of staff inaugurates office in Washington

Qatar's Chief of Staff Major General Ghanim bin Shaheen Al Ghanim inaugurates the Qatar Defence Attache office in Washington.













Qatari defence ministry said in a statement released on Monday that the new office will further bolster cooperation between the two countries' armies in "combating violent extremism, terrorism and bringing stability to our region."

Qatar's FM visits Turkey

Qatar's Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani visits Turkey on October 23 in advance of the third meeting of Turkey-Qatar Supreme Strategic Committee.











During the visit, bilateral relations, as well as regional issues, will be discussed.













The Turkey-Qatar Supreme Strategic Committee was established in 2014 as a mechanism for cooperation and consultation between the two countries.













President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has repetitively spoken against the blockade.

9:40pm - Qatar's NHRC chief hopes for Spain support over blockade

The head of Qatar's National Human Rights Committee said he hoped Spain, through its membership in the United Nations Human Rights Council, would condemn the violations of the blockade imposed on Qatar by its Gulf neighbours.













Speaking at a press conference in Spain's capital, Madrid, Ali bin Smaikh al-Marri said, "We thank Spain for its position, its support for dialogue to resolve the current Gulf crisis."













He added, "Because Qatar is aware of Spain's respect of rights and freedoms, especially when it comes to violations of human rights, we hope that Spain will support Qatar to condemn violations and unjust aggression by the blockading states."

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson says Saudi Arabia is not willing to begin direct talks to resolve a months-long diplomatic crisis in the Gulf.













The top US diplomat made the comments on Sunday during a visit to Qatar, where he arrived following a stop in Saudi Arabia as part of a new push to end the dispute.













"In my meetings with [Saudi] Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, I asked him to please engage in dialogue, [but] there is not a strong indication that parties are ready to talk yet. We cannot force talks upon people who are not ready to talk," said Tillerson, referring to his earlier discussions in Riyadh.

Al-Bashir arrives in Kuwait

Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir began on Sunday a two-day visit to Kuwait and Qatar.













Bashir will discuss with the two Emirs the recent developments in the region.













In his meeting with the Emir of Qatar, Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, Al Bashir will also discuss the two nation's bilateral relations and peace and development efforts in Sudan.













Sudan is among the Arab states that refused to take sides in the ongoing diplomatic crisis and declared its support for the Kuwaiti efforts to settle the rift.

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is in Saudi Arabia for the start of his Middle East tour as part of a new push to end the Gulf crisis.











Tillerson offered little optimism about a solution to the Gulf crisis before his tour, blaming the Saudi-led group of countries for the lack of progress.











"There seems to be a real unwillingness on the part of some of the parties to want to engage... It's up to the leadership of the quartet when they want to engage with Qatar because Qatar has been very clear - they're ready to engage," Tillerson told Bloomberg news agency on Thursday.











Tillerson is also expected to visit Qatar on Sunday.

Qatar's non-oil exports recover

Qatar's non-oil export figures from July to September were almost twice as high as in June.











In September, exports had fallen by 12.6 percent compared with August but were 5 percent higher than in May before the blockade











"The substantial rise in exports to the normal level affirms that the unfair siege imposed on Qatar couldn't stop or hinder the export processes for the Qatari private sector due to the robustness of the economy," said Qatar Chamber Chairman Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim Al Thani.











Oman was Qatar's top non-oil export destination in September, accounting for 44.6 percent of the exports. Non-oil exports include aluminium alloys, iron grids, chemical fertilisers, and plastic rolls.

For previous developments click here

10:50am - Tillerson due in Saudi Arabia

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is due in Saudi Arabia on Saturday to discuss the Qatar-Gulf crisis.













Tillerson's tour of the region comes amid US frustration over the lack of movement in the crisis.













"I do not have a lot of expectations for it being resolved anytime soon," he said in an interview with financial news agency Bloomberg on Thursday.

10:00am - Kuwaiti FM visits Qatar to discuss Gulf crisis

Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad received Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah al-Khaled al-Hamad Al Sabah in Doha on Thursday to discuss the ongoing Gulf crisis.













The two men discussed the political dispute - along with Kuwait's ongoing efforts to mediate the crisis.

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has said he has little hope that the months-long Gulf diplomatic crisis will be resolved soon, blaming the Saudi-led group of countries for a lack of progress.













Tillerson made the comments on Thursday, a day before he embarks on a trip to the region in a renewed attempt to mediate the dispute.













"I do not have a lot of expectations for it being resolved anytime soon," he said in an interview with financial news agency Bloomberg.













"There seems to be a real unwillingness on the part of some of the parties to want to engage," he added.













"It's up to the leadership of the quartet when they want to engage with Qatar because Qatar has been very clear - they're ready to engage."

9:00pm - Tillerson to visit Qatar, Saudi Arabia

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson will visit Saudi Arabia and Qatar as part of a week-long trip that will also include stops in Pakistan, India and Switzerland.













The US top diplomat's trip will start on Friday, October 20.













During the Middle East part of his trip, Tillerson is expected to hold talks about the ongoing GCC crisis, as well as the conflict in Yemen.













His stop in Doha will also include meetings with Qatari leaders and US military officials to discuss joint counterterrorism efforts.

Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani has denounced the "unjust siege" of his country, as he declared that he is "open to dialogue" to resolve the Gulf crisis.













In a statement following his meeting with Indonesia's President Joko Widodo in Jakarta, Sheikh Tamim said Qatar is "ready to conduct a dialogue", declaring, "We are all brothers and suffering because of this crisis."

In an interview with CNBC, Qatar's Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani accused neighbouring Saudi Arabia of attempting to destabilise the leadership in Doha.













Sheikh Mohammed said Saudi Arabia is trying to bring back "the dark ages of tribes and putting them together in order to create a pressure on connected tribes in Qatar".

Emir of Kuwait visiting Saudi Arabia for talks

The Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and his accompanying delegation left Kuwait on Monday for a visit to Saudi Arabia, according to Kuwait News Agency.













The crisis between Qatar and neighbouring countries is on the agenda of the visit ahead of a Gulf Cooperation Council summit in Kuwait next December.

Qatar's emir kicks off South East Asia tour

Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani is due to arrive in Malaysia on Sunday as part of a three-country tour of Southeast Asia.













The Qatar emir's two-day stay in Malaysia is his first official visit there. He will be accompanied by several cabinet ministers and a business delegation, according to Malaysia's foreign ministry.













The next stops on his tour are Indonesia and Singapore.

Audrey Azoulay wins vote to be next UNESCO chief

Audrey Azoulay, a former French culture minister, has been elected the next head of UNESCO, after narrowly beating Qatar's Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al Kawari.













The final vote on Saturday was overshadowed by Middle East tensions, with Qatari media blaming Al Kawari's loss on a lobby by several Arab countries boycotting Qatar.

Gargash accuses Qatar of funding Houthis

In a tweet, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash accused Qatar of funding the Houthi rebels in Yemen.

Egypt targets Qatar in UNESCO

Seven countries - France, China, Vietnam, Egypt, Azerbaijan, Qatar and Lebanon - are currently vying for leadership of The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).













After two days of a secret ballot that could run until Friday, Qatar's Hamad bin Abdulaziz al-Kawari leads France's Audrey Azoulay and Egyptian hopeful Moushira Khattab.













In an interview with Egypt Today, Egypt's top diplomat, Sameh Shoukry, suggested Qatar was using its financial power to influence UNESCO's 58-member executive council.













"It is an organisation that is owned by international society and cannot be sold to a particular state or individual," he was quoted as saying when asked about the Qatari candidate's campaign pitch, "I'm not coming empty-handed."













Kawari, the Qatari candidate, has so far not reacted to Egyptian allegations, simply tweeting on Wednesday: "Al-Kawari tipped to head UNESCO"

UAE: Qatar review a must before World Cup

"Qatar's hosting of World Cup 2022 should include a repudiation of policies supporting extremism & terrorism. Doha should review its record," UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash wrote on Twitter.













Qatar, which denies accusations by the UAE and some other Gulf states said in a statement that the UAE's charge was desperate and "weak."













"(The) UAE's demand that Qatar give up the World Cup shows their illegal blockade is founded on petty jealousy, not real concerns," Qatar's government communications office said.













"Their weak attempts to tie the hosting of the 2022 FIFA World Cup to their illegal blockade show their desperation to justify their inhumane action," it added in a statement.













Gargash made his comments after a former Dubai police chief wrote on Twitter this week that the Gulf crisis could end if Doha forfeited hosting the World Cup.

Qatar's government has condemned an attack on a palace guard post in the western Saudi city of Jeddah.













Two security guards were killed, and three others were injured in the attack.













The attacker, a 28-year old Saudi national named Mansour al-Amri, was also killed.













In a statement, Qatar's government said: "The Foreign Ministry reiterated Qatar's firm position rejecting violence and terrorism regardless of their motives or reason."

10:25pm - Qatar orders aid to private sector amid Gulf crisis

Qatar's government announced measures to help private sector businesses on Saturday amid economic sanctions imposed by some of its Gulf neighbours.













Prime Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani decided to cut rents paid by companies in Qatar's logistics zones in half during 2018 and 2019, official news agency QNA reported.













Qatar Development Bank, a state-funded body which lends to firms, will also postpone receiving loan installments for up to six months to facilitate industrial sector projects, Al Thani said.

Hassan al-Thawadi, secretary-general of the Qatar World Cup Supreme Committee, says the regional blockade against the country poses "no risk" to the football tournament in 2022.













"We have come under criticism and attack over the years, but we have always faced our critics," Hassan al-Thawadi, secretary general of the Qatar World Cup supreme committee, told The Associated Press news agency.













Al-Thawadi maintained that logistical obstacles are being overcome and building work is continuing with only "minimal" cost increases.













"Our projects are going ahead as scheduled. This (blockade) is no risk in relation to the hosting of the World Cup."

The US military has halted some exercises with its Gulf Arab allies over the ongoing diplomatic crisis targeting Qatar, trying to use its influence to end the months-long dispute, authorities told The Associated Press.













While offering few details, the acknowledgement by the US military's Central Command shows the concern it has over the conflict gripping the Gulf, home to the US Navy's Fifth Fleet and crucial bases for its campaign against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS) group, as well as the war in Afghanistan.













"We are opting out of some military exercises out of respect for the concept of inclusiveness and shared regional interests," Air Force Colonel John Thomas, a Central Command spokesperson, said in a statement.













"We will continue to encourage all partners to work together toward the sort of common solutions that enable security and stability in the region."

2:23pm - Qatari forces conclude military exercises

Government troops known as the Emiri Land Forces have concluded a four-day military exercise in the Sealine and Al Galayel districts of the country.











According to a government statement, the exercises, which include reconnaissance operations as well as air landing, was held with the participation of joint special forces, and aimed at "defending the state's territory, airspace and vital economic and strategic facilities".

10:36am - Qatar: We have enough reserves to support banks

Qatar's government has enough reserves to support its banks in the face of sanctions imposed by some Arab states, central bank governor Sheikh Abdullah bin Saud Al Thani said in a statement on Wednesday.











Sheikh Abdullah dismissed reports of strain on the banking system as fake news and rumours, adding that domestic liquidity was up 8.3 percent at the end of July while the monetary base had grown 1.7 percent.

12:45pm - Iranian foreign minister visits Qatar amid GCC diplomatic standoff

Javad Zarif, foreign minister of Iran, is in Qatar to hold talks with top officials, a day after visiting Oman.













His trip to Doha comes after Qatar restored full diplomatic relations with Iran in August.













Zarif is to meet Qatar's emir and foreign minister.

1:30pm - Iran FM to visit Qatar

Iranian Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohammad Javad Zarif will visit Qatar on Monday, officials said, for talks on relations between Tehran and Doha that have caused tensions in the Gulf.











Zarif left Tehran on Monday morning for Oman and was to head to Doha in the afternoon, Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Bahram Ghassemi told AFP.













It will be his first visit to Doha since Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt cut ties with Qatar in June.













Zarif is to meet Qatar's emir and foreign minister.











Ghassemi said talks would focus on relations in the Gulf, economic cooperation and the latest developments in Syria, Iraq and Yemen.

10:48pm - US officials oppose bid to shut Taliban office: report

The Trump administration's reported consideration of a plan that would close the Taliban political office in Doha has triggered an unusual internal protest from state department officials who say it would undermine US interests in Afghanistan, according to a Wall Street Journal report quoting current and former US officials.











A group of state department specialists on South Asia filed a rare internal "dissent channel cable" on Friday to urge that the US keep the Taliban office open and launch more intensive talks to end the 16-year-old war in Afghanistan, according to people familiar with the move, the report says.











The unclassified memo to top state department leaders urged them to keep the Taliban office open to help ensure that a serious push for peace talks is not put on the back burner while the US sends 4,000 more American soldiers into Afghanistan to try to break a battlefield stalemate with the Taliban.

1:30pm - UN chief urges Gulf states to sit down for talks

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has reiterated his support for the ongoing Kuwaiti mediation efforts aimed at ending the Gulf crisis, Kuwait News Agency quoted a statement he issued.











Guterres called on all parties to resolve their differences by sitting down at the negotiating table and showing a spirit of good-neighbourliness and respect.











He said the UN is ready to support mediation efforts led by the emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad al-Jaber Al Sabah.

12:00pm - Qatar Airways' cargo division surges despite blockade

As the world's third-largest cargo operator, Qatar Airways continues to invest in fleet expansion, helping secure a supply of essential items and medicines at a time when an illegal blockade is imposed, the company's chief executive says.

The blockade by neighbouring states has only boosted Qatar Airways' cargo business, figures show. The national airline saw a 160-percent surge in its cargo business in June this year compared to the same month in 2016.











"We are growing month-on-month, and since 2015, we have been the third largest international cargo operator in the world," Baker said during the delivery of Qatar Airways first 747-8 freighter at Boeing's production facility in Everett, Washington. "Our sights are set on number one."

11:35pm - Qatari and Turkish leaders hold phone conversation

The emir of Qatar has spoken over the phone with the president of Turkey to discuss "a set of current issues on the regional and international fronts", according to Qatari state media.













Qatar News Agency said that Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Recep Tayyip Erdogan also reviewed bilateral relations "between the two fraternal countries".













The phone call came about two weeks after a meeting between the two leaders in the presidential palace in Turkey's capital, Ankara.













Erdogan has been a major supporter of Doha since June 5, when Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt cut ties and blockaded Qatar.













The Turkish president has strongly spoken out against the sanctions applied by the four countries, while Turkey has also sent cargo ships and hundreds of planes loaded with food to break the blockade.

11:00am - Seminar speakers slam 'un-Islamic' blockade

Expressing disappointment over "illegal, unethical and un-Islamic" actions of siege countries, speakers at an international seminar in Doha emphasised the need for dialogue to resolve political disputes, Qatari newspaper The Peninsula reported.













Professor Aisha Al Mannai, director of the Mohammed Bin Hamad Al Thani Center for Islamic Contributions to Civilizations, said: "The world has witnessed this unfair generalisation against the state of Qatar with allegations that it supports terrorism without providing evidence."













"This crisis has been marked by the moral downfall of everything - politicians, religious scholars, media professionals and even artists," she said.













Jaber Al Harimi, former editor-in-chief of Qatar's Al Sharq newspaper, lauded the role of Qatari media in covering the crisis.













"The siege countries, by forgetting all ethics, are spreading lies, disinformation against Qatar while the Qatari media has remained committed to morality without resorting to lies and slander," Al Harimi said.

9:00am - Report: Qatar's ostracisation could backfire on Dubai

Dubai's economic ties to Qatar could hurt its economy amid the months-long blockade, Euromoney reports.











Qataris own large amounts of property in Dubai, buying more than $500m of real estate there last year alone, and Qatari gas is one of Dubai's main sources of energy.











The biggest impact, however, could be to the reputation of Dubai as a business-friendly jurisdiction, it said. Showing sympathy for Qatar in the United Arab Emirates is now a crime punishable by a fine of $136,000 and up to 15 years in prison.

8:00pm - Qatar holds cybersecurity meeting in New York

The Permanent Mission of Qatar to the United Nations hasheld a high-level meeting on the sidelines of the 72nd session of the UN General Assembly in New York. The meeting, which was titled,"From cyberattack to illegal measures: the blockade against the State of Qatar", coincided with a major diplomatic crisis in the Gulf, highlightingthe impact of the dispute and its multifaceted repercussions on the countries involved.











The first session examined the events since the May 25 cyberattack on Qatar News Agency (QNA) and the publication of false statements attributed to Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.











In a speech during the session, Attorney General Ali bin Fetais al-Marri described hacking as one of the most dangerous crimes threateninginternational peace and security, QNA reported.











Al-Marri saidthe issue is of great concern to the international community, stressing that countries should takemeasures not only to banand punish thoseinvolved in piracy for political or personal gain but also treat them as a major threat to international peace and security.











"This was a turning point in the events, we in Qatar, did not expect it, but we were able to deal with it and overcome the obstacles created by these sudden actions to ensure the continuity of normal daily life," he said.

2:00am - US Defense chief Mattis makes surprise Qatar visit

James Mattis, US defense secretary, has made an unannounced visit to Qatar.













He held talks with Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Defense Minister Khalid bin Mohamed Al Attiyah at Al-Udeid air base, home to around 10,000 US troops, on Thursday.

1:00am - Qatar's stock market most positive in region: polls

Sentiment towards Qatar's stock market, which fell after four neighbouring Arab states cut diplomatic and transport ties with Doha on June 5, has improved considerably, the latest Reuters polls show.













Thirty-one percent of Middle East funds now expect to raise allocations to Qatari equities and eight percent to decrease them, making Qatar the most positive market in the region.













"The Qatari market experienced a remarkable 11 consecutive days in the red during September. With valuations reaching distressed levels, this was followed by six days of gains as local and regional buyers rushed to take advantage," said Akber Khan, head of asset management at Al Rayan Investment in Doha.

10:35pm - Qatari and Omani firms sign deal for maritime transportation of goods

Qatari company Trans Oceans has signed an agreement with Omani maritime transport firm Naseera to facilitate the movement of ferries transporting goods, equipment, cars and tourists between the two countries.













The deal was struck on the sidelines of the Oman Products Exhibition, Qatar News Agency reported.













Qatar and Oman are two of the six countries that comprise the Gulf Cooperation Cou