Doha denounces sanctions as illegal, unfair

Hires Bush attorney general for ‘crisis response’; Qatar Airways CEO says US is  fueling the fire of Gulf inferno

LAHORE: The Chief Executive of the 23-year old Qatar Airways, which has a fleet of more 192 aircraft and employs more than 24, 000 people, has alleged the United States of adding fuel to the fire that has already engulfed Qatar and its Gulf neighbors.

The “CNNMoney” states: “Akbar Al Baker told CNNMoney that the decision by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and other states to severe diplomatic and transport links with Qatar amounted to an "illegal" blockade that the US should be doing its best to resolve. President Trump has endorsed the decision of Gulf nations to ostracize Qatar, even as US Cabinet officials have said it is hurting the campaign against ISIS.”

The American media house quoted Baker as saying: “I don't want to comment about President Trump. I am extremely disappointed. The United States should be the leader trying to break this blockade and not sitting and watching what's going on and actually putting fuel on [the] fire."

The “CNNMoney” writes: “Al Baker has previously described Trump as a friend and fellow businessman who would do what is best for the United States. The airline CEO said he did not expect Qatar to be treated in this way by a country "so dependent on its fight against terrorism." Qatar is home to the biggest US military base in the Middle East. The sprawling compound 20 miles southwest of the Qatari capital of Doha has about 11,000 US military personnel. Qatar has been accused by Saudi Arabia and the UAE of supporting terrorism, claims that the tiny state has rejected in the strongest terms.”

The reputed media outlet has gone on to assert: “Qatar Airways has been hit hard by the dispute, with 18 destinations now out of bounds for the airline. Duty free sales at Doha airport are also suffering -- they fell 25% in the past week, said Al Baker. But his big rivals from the UAE -- Emirates and Etihad -- are taking a hit too, he added. Despite a challenging year that included an electronics ban on flights to the US, Qatar Airways has just posted record profit of $541 million for the year through March, an increase of nearly 22%. Al Baker said the airline will press ahead with plans to add 24 new destinations in the coming 12 months.”

Meanwhile, Qatar has hired George Bush era’s attorney general, John Ashcroft, for 'crisis response.’  Ashcroft is one of the War on Terror's legal heavyweights to advise the country on international counter-terrorism finance laws.

The “CNNMoney” reports: “John Ashcroft, the former US senator and country’s attorney general under President George W. Bush, has been tapped to guide Qatar amid a diplomatic crisis, according to public filings with the Department of Justice. The big-name hire comes after Qatar was ostracized by a host of Middle Eastern countries, including Saudi Arabia and the Untied Arab Emirates. They accuse Qatar of supporting terrorism and destabilizing the region with ties to their Shiite rival, Iran. President Trump has also accused the Qatari government of funding terrorist groups. The deal was first reported this weekend by Bloomberg after Ashcroft's law firm issued a public filing to the Justice Department. U.S. lobbyists and attorneys who ink deals to act on behalf of foreign entities are required to disclose such information. “  This is what Qatar’s state-owned television “Al-Jazeera” has to say on the Arab blockade:

“Qatar's Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani on Monday denounced the sanctions imposed against Doha by Saudi Arabia and its allies as "unfair" and "illegal.”

It quoted Al-Thani as opining: "Whatever relates to our foreign affairs... no one has the right to discuss. Qatar is willing to sit and negotiate about whatever is related to Gulf security.”

Iran reiterates need for dialogue: The “Al-Jazeera” adds: “In a weekly news conference in Tehran, Bahram Ghasemi, Iranian foreign ministry spokesman, said Qatar and its neighbours should "try to settle their differences at the negotiating table.” Ghasemi also said the countries involved "should move toward peace and stability in the region and we invite them to negotiating and exercising restraint.”

Qatar Central Bank says operating normally despite rift: In further news over Qatar's economy, the central bank says transactions at home and abroad continue normally.

In a statement released on Qatar's state-run news agency, QNA, the bank said its central governor Sheikh Abdullah bin Saud Al-Thani dismissed concerned over liquidity levels.

Qatar markets stabilize: The “Reuters” news agency has reported that Qatar's financial markets have recovered following a week of losses after the blockade was announced.

The report came as the gas-rich country's finance minister said that Qatar's economy would be able survive the blockade, because of significant reserves and investment.

Qatar Foreign Minister urges countries to back Kuwait in solving GCC crisis: The “Al-Jazeera” claims: “Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani confirmed that Qatar and the US are in contact with Kuwait, which is leading mediation efforts. Speaking from London where he is due to meet Boris Johnson, his British counterpart, the minister also said: "Diplomatic dialogue is the solution, but it needs foundations not yet available. We're focused on solving humanitarian problems resulting from the illegal blockade." He called on countries to support the efforts of Kuwait's emir in finding a solution, and invited "friendly states" to participate in that effort.

UAE media says Qatari spouses will not be deported:

Abu-Dhabi's “The National newspaper” says Qataris married to Emiratis will not be deported, one week after the UAE said it would give Qataris 14 days to leave the country.

The government-sponsored broadsheet, which did not provide a source, also said Qataris who were "immediate relatives of Emiratis" could "pass through.”

France attempts to calm tensions, boost profile: The office of French President Emmanuel Macron is attempting to reconcile tensions between Qatar and its neighbours, reports “Al-Jazeera.

The French President says he has held a series of calls with the emir of Qatar, Saudi Arabia's king, Turkey's president and the crown prince of Abu Dhabi.

FIFA President says Qatar World Cup is not under threat: FIFA president, Gianni Infantino, has said he does not believe the diplomatic crisis which involves 2022 World Cup host nation Qatar will threaten its hosting of the tournament.

In an interview published in Swiss newspapers “Le Matin Dimanche” and “Sonntagszeitung,” FIFA Chief Infantino said he expects the diplomatic situation will be back to normal by the time the tournament is played in five and a half years’ time.

Iraq says Qatari 'ransom' money with it, not armed groups: Iraq's prime minister has rejected Saudi and UAE media claims that a $500m ransom was paid by Qatar to Shia Muslim armed groups in Iraq to secure the release of 26 kidnapped Qatari hunters.

Haider al-Abadi said the money was received by the Iraqi government and that the sum was still in the Iraqi central bank, states “Al-Jazeera.”

Italy and Qatar agree to continue economic cooperation:

Italy and Qatar agreed on Monday to continue their close economic and financial cooperation, the two countries' said in a statement on Monday that signalled Italian support for Qatar during the Gulf crisis, the “Al-Jazeera” holds.

It adds: “Qatari Finance Minister Ali Sherif al-Emadi met Italian Economy Minister Pier Carlo Padoan in Rome on the first leg of a tour of major Western capitals that will also take him to Paris, London, Berlin and Washington.”

Hundreds of containers on their way to Qatar from Oman also:  A Qatari food company owner said shipments began arriving on Sunday from Oman, and that about 12 vessels were headed to Qatar.

"There are around 300 containers of fresh and frozen food coming. Some have arrived and the others are on their way," Ahmed al-Khalaf said.

He said containers at Jebel Ali port of the United Arab Emirates were still stuck, but that others, including from Europe, were being diverted to Oman's ports. 

The world's number 1 container line, Maersk of Denmark, said on Monday it would accept new bookings for container shipments to Qatar from Oman.

Swiss-based MSC, the world's number 2 line, said it would deploy a new dedicated shipping service to Qatar.