UK, Qatar agree on diplomatic efforts in Mideast

LONDON, 21 Sep 2019 [Fik/News Sources]: The U.K. and Qatar agreed on the importance of negotiation to de-escalate regional tensions, a government statement said Friday.

The statement came following a meeting between British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani in London.

“The Prime Minister met His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani, the Emir of the State of Qatar, this morning in Downing Street,” it said.

The leaders welcomed the “depth of our two countries’ relationship and the strength of our economic ties.”

Johnson “reiterated his congratulations to Qatar on hosting the upcoming 2022 World Cup,” according to the statement.

It said: “The Prime Minister told His Highness that the U.K. remains committed to Gulf unity and to Qatar’s national security. They agreed the war in Yemen must come to an end. They also discussed the recent attacks on the Aramco oil facilities in Saudi Arabia.”

“Additionally they shared concern over Iran’s destabilising behaviour and agreed the importance of negotiation in de-escalating regional tensions,” the statement added.