HH The Emir says siege countries have no desire to put an end to the crisis

It is now more than five months since four Arab nations imposed an illegal siege on Qatar. Although many attempts have been made to solve the crisis, it has not come to fruition mainly due to the blockading nations’ unwillingness to come to the negotiation table.

HH The Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani has spoken out in strong terms about the stalemate, saying neighbouring countries have no desire to end the crisis in the Gulf, according to Al Jazeera.

Speaking at a session of Qatar's Consultative Assembly (the Shura Council) on Tuesday, Sheikh Tamim said Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt have shunned dialogue and do not want to resolve the situation.

“I’m talking to you with all transparency. We mean what we say when we say we’re ready for agreements through dialogue based on mutual respect for sovereignty and shared commitments ... but on the other hand, we know that the indications we receive say siege countries don’t want a solution,” Sheikh Tamim said.

HH The Emir said the four countries have ‘put pressure and published rumours and fabrications’ against Qatar hosting the World Cup in 2022, reported The Peninsula.

He also said his government was focusing on completing strategic projects to help the country cope with the blockade and to encourage investments.

“They have built their campaign on fabrications since the hacking of Qatar News Agency’s website. Their propaganda campaign drives them to get embroiled in more lies which hurt them alone.

“Qatar has pursued a policy of self-restraint, moderate response, and has risen above all wrangles and misbehavior in respect for our values and norms and out of our keenness to maintain the fraternal relations among the Gulf peoples,” he said.

He said Qatar would carry on with its economic and foreign policies.

“I don’t need to remind you of the number of countries thriving only on sea and air transport and without land crossings. Qatar’s society knows how to live, thrive and develop whether the blockade was long or short,” he was quoted as saying by Bloomberg News.

He said the blockading countries had underestimated the strength of Qatar's people living under the blockade.

"These countries with this attitude have opened a new stage in the relations between Gulf nations. We’ve benefited from this experience; it brought out the best from these people, it contributed to shaping Qatar’s national identity and reinforced the national unity with the leadership,” he said.