Trump’s priority is to make Doha stop financing terrorism

CAIRO – 28 June 2017: President Donald Trump's priority regarding the Arab–Qatari dispute is to make Doha stop financing and backing terrorism of all kinds, according to the United States Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley.

“It’s true that we have our own military base in Doha, however, our priority remains to stop financing terrorism” Haley added in statements reported by Sky News on Wednesday. Haley referred to the Muslim brotherhood as "the source of all problems in the region."

Qatar’s relations with several Arab and Gulf States have been strained since May24, when the Qatari state-run news agency reported Sheikh Tamim Al Thani’s statements regarding Gulf foreign policy with Iran, describing it as “unwise.”

On Monday, June 5, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, Libya and Yemen decided to cut all diplomatic ties with Qatar for its “continuous support for terrorism,” closing their airspace and seaports to Qatari transportation.

On June 9, President Trump called on Qatar to end its funding of terrorism. ”The nation of Qatar has been, unfortunately, a historical funder of terrorism. We have to stop the funding of terrorism; the time has come to call on Qatar to end their funding and its extremist ideology” he said during a press conference with his Romanian counterpart Klaus Iohanni.

Trump added that it is his priority as a president to keep people safe."We ask Qatar and other countries to do more, and do it fast.” he said.

The American president's statement followed his trip to the Middle East region which included Saudi Arabia.