Morocco supports Kuwait mediation in Gulf crisis

Emir of Kuwait received Moroccan foreign minister who delivered a message from King Mohamed, hailing Kuwaiti efforts.

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The Moroccan king, left, called on all parties to 'exercise restraint' [File: Youssef Boudlal/Reuters]

Moroccan King Mohammed VI has expressed his “full support” for ongoing efforts by Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah to resolve the Gulf crisis.

The statement came in a verbal message conveyed by Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita to Sheikh Sabah, who received him in Kuwait City on Tuesday.

“The Moroccan king stressed the importance of containing the Gulf crisis and resolving differences through dialogue between brotherly countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council,” the statement said, according to Kuwait’s official news agency.

On Tuesday, Bourita arrived in Kuwait from the UAE’s Abu Dhabi as part of ongoing Moroccan efforts aimed at “encouraging comprehensive and honest dialogue” between countries involved in the dispute.

One Monday, Morocco’s foreign ministry said in a statement that Bourita had delivered a “verbal message” from King Mohammed VI to Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan.

The ministry did not provide any further details.

On Sunday, the Moroccan king called on all parties to the Arab diplomatic Gulf crisis to “exercise restraint” and “show wisdom with a view to easing tensions and resolving the crisis”.

The following day, Morocco sent a number of planes bearing humanitarian aid – including food – to Qatar.

On June 5, five Arab countries – Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Yemen – cut diplomatic relations with Qatar, accusing Doha of supporting “terrorism”.

Mauritania followed suit shortly afterwards, while Jordan downgraded its diplomatic relations with Doha.

Saudi Arabia has also sealed its land border with Qatar, geographically isolating the Gulf state.

Qatar denies accusations, calling recent moves to diplomatically isolate it as “unjustified”.

Source: News Agencies