Malaysia offers to help resolve conflict over Qatar

Malaysia has offered to play any constructive role in resolving the ongoing conflict between Qatar and the other Arab countries, but respects the wish of the parties involved to resolve the problem through their own regional framework, Wisma Putra said today.

It said in a statement that Malaysia offered to play any constructive role that the parties involved felt was required and that the offer and concern had been well received and appreciated.

However, it said, the countries involved had expressed their hope for other countries and international organisations to allow them to resolve these difficulties through their own regional framework, such as the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) as well as the mediation efforts of the Emir of Kuwait.

"Malaysia and other countries outside the GCC respect their wishes. Consequently, Malaysia will support all efforts by the GCC and the Emir of Kuwait," said the Foreign Ministry.

The conflict reportedly began when several Arab countries cut off diplomatic relations with Qatar in early June, allegedly accusing it of supporting militants and Iran.

Wisma Putra said Malaysia had been monitoring the conflict and the Foreign Ministry had been in constant contact with all the countries involved "since the beginning of these difficulties on June 5".

It said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman had been communicating with their counterparts across the Muslim world since that time in order to apprise each other of the latest developments as well as to find a resolution to these difficulties.

"During these contacts, Malaysia has emphasised its neutrality. Malaysia will continue its policy of neutrality. But it is a policy of 'active neutrality'," the Foreign Ministry said.

It also said that Malaysia's offer to play a constructive role still stood and it would continue its contacts with all parties concerned and continue to urge them to take all necessary steps to de-escalate tensions.

Wisma Putra said Malaysia shared deep and abiding relations with all the countries involved.

"Our relations are across the whole sphere of human activity - particularly cultural, religion, economic and people-to-people. For this reason, these difficulties are a matter of deep concern for the government and people of Malaysia," it said.

"Malaysia hopes for a speedy and amicable solution to these difficulties - it can only be a boon to the Muslim world as a whole.

"At the same time, Malaysia remains committed to combating and confronting terrorism and extremism and supports all efforts to achieve peace and stability in the region," it added.

-- BERNAMA