Qatar crisis: Malaysia ready to help - Hishammuddin

Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said Malaysia committed in supporting Kuwait's role as a mediator in resolving the crisis.

Hishammuddin who is also the Defence Minister others like Turkey and United States have taken the initiative to resolve the crisis.

"Qatar issue is not an easy crisis and is very complex. But our relationship with these countries, the respect and trust they have allowed us to play a little role if needed," he said.

"But we should allow Kuwait to play its role to reduce tensions, and that is also the stand of Organisation of Islamic Cooperation," he said.

"IThis is still on-going. We are monitoring closely. If needed, the relationship we have with these countries, can help us position Malaysia in a more strategic manner," he said at Dewan Rakyat today.

He was replying to supplementary questions from Datuk Noor Ehsanuddin Mohd Harun Narrashid (BN-Kota Tinggi) who wanted to know if Malaysia wants to be the middleman in resolving the crisis.

However, he said the Qatar crisis which began on June 5 does not affect diplomatic ties between the countries and Malaysia.

He said the government always viewed seriously conflicts in the countries that Malaysia has diplomatic and trade ties.

Doha is backed by the US in its rift with four Arab states, which are boycotting the country over alleged support for terrorism, in what has become the worst Gulf Arab crisis in years.