Qatar welcomes efforts to end Gulf standoff, but defiant on its foreign policy

Qatar’s foreign minister is welcoming diplomatic efforts to calm the Gulf standoff over alleged Qatari support for Islamic extremists — but insists that no one can dictate its foreign policy.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani says Monday that Qatar is in contact with international aviation authorities and legal organizations as it tries to fight back against moves by Saudi Arabia and its allies to cut off its land, air and sea access.

Speaking after diplomatic meetings in Paris, Al Thani says Qatar is ready to negotiate anything “related to the collective security of the Gulf countries” but insists that Qatari foreign policy is not open to debate.

He also says “no one has the right” to pressure Qatar to silence TV network al-Jazeera, which is based in Doha.

Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates cut diplomatic ties with Qatar last week. Al Thani has visited multiple European countries in recent days seeking diplomatic support.

— AP