Russia turns down Qatar’s request to host Syria talks

CAIRO – 23 July 2017: Russia's deputy head of State Duma Committee on Foreign Affairs Alexei Chepa said Sunday that Qatar's initiative to turn Doha into a new platform for Syrian talks would be difficult due to the strained political situation around the country.

Qatar has offered to host all parties engaged in the Syrian conflict settlement at Doha, according to Qatari Ambassador to Russia Fahad Mohammed Attiyah.

"Presently, we are actively using two platforms for the peaceful settlement: the platforms in Geneva and Astana. I think that it would be hard to use an additional platform due to the difficult political situation in Qatar, it is much better to fill out the two existing platforms with work," Chepa told Sputnik.

He appointed out that the international negotiations aimed at astabilization and settlement of the Syrian crisis will continue in Geneva and Astana only.

Qatar’s relations with several Arab states have been strained since May 24 over a leaked statement attributed to Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani, criticizing the Gulf’s foreign policy with Iran, describing it as “unwise”.

Qatari Emir bin Hamad’s recent remarks in which he attacked Egypt, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) prompted the major Arab powers to adopt urgent and strict measures towards Doha.

The Qatari crisis was escalated when Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and the UAE, along with Yemen and Libya announced a coordinated diplomatic break with Qatar, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. They also closed their airspace and seaports to Qatari transportation.