When the blockade against Qatar began in June last year, the question on everyone's lips was: why!? A new Al Jazeera investigation suggests the answer does not lie in events of eight months ago, but those of more than two decades ago.
The report reveals new evidence of an attempt by Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt and Bahrain, to overthrow the Qatari government in 1996. It includes interviews with coup leaders who conspired to remove the Emir of Qatar at the time - Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. He is the father of the current Emir.
The investigation implicates leaders from all four blockading countries. It says the committee formed to organise the 1996 coup was led by many who are the helm of power in some of the blockading countries On Inside Story, an in-depth discussion on why the anti-Qatar quartet has been targeting the regime in Doha. />
Qatar's Emir says the country’s neighbours have no desire to end the Gulf Crisis. Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani made his speech at the opening session of the parliamentary advisory body, the Shura Council. Sheikh Tamim gave a message of steadfastness, saying Qatari society will persist regardless of the length of the blockade.
Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt severed ties with Qatar in June and imposed a land, sea and air blockade.
It is a case of try and try again for America’s top diplomat. The US Secretary of State‘s back in the Gulf reviving mediation efforts in a bid to end the four-month-long Gulf crisis.
Rex Tillerson is visiting Saudi Arabia and Qatar as part of a regional tour. His last visit was in July for intense talks, but no deal was made. Tillerson is playing down the chances of a quick solution in his latest shuttle diplomacy.
He is already been blaming the Saudi-led group of countries for the lack of progress.
Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt cut ties with Qatar in June, and imposed a land, sea and air travel blockade on the country.
The Saudi-led bloc accuse Qatar of supporting terrorism, allegations strongly denied by Doha.
What will it take to find a solution? And does the Saudi-led quartet want to talk?
Presenter: Jane Dutton | Guests: Fahad Bin Mohamed Al-Attiyah, Qatar Ambassador to Russia; Andreas Krieg, Assistant Professor at the Defense Studies Dept. King's College London; Khalil Jahshan, Executive Director of the Arab Centre of WashingtonMAIL
US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is set to launch a fresh bid on Sunday to ease a crisis between Riyadh and Doha, both allies of Washington, but without high hopes of a breakthrough.
Omar Ashour, a senior lecturer in Middle East Politics and Security Studies at the University of Exeter, speaks to Al Jazeera about Tillerson's Middle East tour.
Tourism industry leaders from around the world are in Qatar to celebrate World Tourism Day. The number of tourists worldwide is expected to rise to around two billion by 2030, and sustainable tourism is a major concern for delegates. ¶ Qatar wants to attract five-and-a-half million visitors within the next five years, despite a blockade by neighbouring countries.
Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain along with Egypt announced an embargo on Qatar on June 5, setting off the Gulf crisis. More than three month blockade has affected families, students and made it difficult for Qatari pilgrims to perform Hajj. So far, Kuwait's mediation efforts have not yielded any results with the blockading nations, who say they will not budge unless Qatar agrees to a list of 13 demands. The demands include cutting ties with Iran and shutting down the Al Jazeera media network.
The battle for regional power between Saudi Arabia and Qatar dates back to the very creation of the State of Qatar; back then, just as it is now, it was about regional dominance, explains Professor Seif Da'na
Qatar has reportedly been given 10 days to comply with a list of demands from Arab nations which have imposed a blockade on the Gulf nation. News agencies say the Saudi-led bloc is demanding financial compensation and wants Qatar to downgrade its relations with Iran. It has also called for the closure of Al Jazeera. Al Jazeera’s Tony Birtley explains.
