GCC summit could be postponed due to Qatari crisis

CAIRO – 14 October 2017: The upcoming summit of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) would most likely be postponed this year, London-based Elaph newspaper quoted sources as saying.

“There will be no summit in December as the mediation efforts to settle the crisis have not made a breakthrough or thinned the tension yet,” the sources added.

“Even if it is held, it will be in Riyadh and no invitation will be sent to Qatar to participate despite the pressure being built up by Doha that no GCC summit could be held without its attendance.”

Moreover, the sources, based in Washington, claimed a new GCC would be formed of only three countries, which will unify their policies to work together for the benefit and interests of the region.”

Reports also claimed that the next GCC summits could be held in Riyadh and not in Kuwait.

Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain on June 5 severed their diplomatic ties with Qatar, accusing it of supporting extremism, funding terrorism and having close ties with the regional foe Iran.

GCC member Kuwait has launched mediation efforts to find a common ground to end the crisis, however, Doha rejected the 13 demands made by the Anti-Terror Quartet (ATQ), foiling the mediation attempt.

Last week, Kuwait announced its readiness to host the summit in December, amid hopes that the dispute would be over to a minimum by then.