US 'mystified' over Gulf states approach to Qatar

'The more the time goes by, the more doubt is raised about the actions taken by' Saudi-led countries, State Dept. says

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON (AA) - The U.S. State Department said Tuesday it is "mystified" that Saudi Arabia and its allies have not presented "details" of the claims they are making about Qatar.

"The more the time goes by, the more doubt is raised about the actions taken by Saudi Arabia and the UAE," spokeswoman Heather Nauert told reporters.

Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain severed ties with Doha, and shuttered their air, land and sea borders to Qatari vessels earlier this month. Qatar's neighbors accuse it of supporting terror groups -- a claim the kingdom denies.

Rex Tillerson's State Department has not fallen in line behind President Donald Trump, who called Doha "a funder of terrorism at a very high level" shortly into the simmering diplomatic crisis while appearing to take credit for the rising tensions.

Tillerson, who Nauert said has made more than 20 phone calls since the row began June 5, urged the Gulf alliance to ease its blockade on Qatar, warning that it is hindering the U.S.-led effort to defeat Daesh.

Nauert further questioned Tuesday whether the diplomatic standoff is the result of alleged concerns about support for terror groups or of "long-simmering grievances" within the Gulf Cooperation Council.

"We are encouraging all sides to de-escalate tensions and engage in constructive dialog," she said.

Kaynak:

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