Britain has joined the U.S. in calling for an end to the boycott of Qatar after the country's pledge to fight terrorism.
"I welcome the Emir of Qatar's commitment to combat terrorism in all its manifestations, including terrorist financing," U.K. Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said in a statement on Sunday. "We hope in turn Saudi Arabia, U.A.E., Egypt and Bahrain respond by taking steps toward lifting the embargo. This will allow substantive discussions on remaining differences to begin."
Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates cut off diplomatic relations with Qatar in June, accusing its government of funding terrorism. Qatari ruler Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani has condemned the campaign by those states to isolate his nation, saying it violates international law. He says his country is open to dialog, if sovereignty is respected, to resolve the dispute.
American Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said last week that the U.S. is "satisfied with the effort" Qatar is making to counter terrorism and urged its neighbors "to consider, as a sign of good faith, lifting this land blockade."
But U.A.E. Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash said that Qatari officials must revise their policies before discussions could begin, making the possibility of imminent talks more remote.
