UAE laments Doha attempts to promote violence: bin Zayed

CAIRO – 23 September 2017: The United Arab Emirates are establishing religious centers that call for tolerance, peace and co existence and renounce all forms of violence, UAE Foreign Minister Abdulah bin Zayed said on Wednesday.

In his address to the 72nd session of the United Nations General Assembly, bin Zayed lamented what he called “attempts of some countries to use media platforms that incite violence, extremism and terrorism,” in reference to the practices of Qatari-led Al-Jazeera channel that have been proven to fall short of professionalism.

The Arab quartet boycotting Qatar has repeatedly called out Al-Jazeera for being a platform for promoting terrorism and extremism. Shutting it down was placed amongst the list of the demands handed over to Doha for reconciliation, to which it remains aloof.

In his address to the United Nations General Assembly, bin Zayed said that Iran supports terrorist groups in the region and meddles in its countries, as well as exploiting the region's conditions to instigate strife and promote conflict.

On his speech before the United Nations General Assembly, Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad lambasted what he called an “imposed blockade” on his country, denying all the accusations leveraged against his country of it being involved in sponsoring terrorism.

The Arab quartet reiterated that their decision to cut-off relations, issued in June, was aimed at imposing sanctions on the Qatari regime itself, and that the four countries are keen to preserve the mutual bond between the people.