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Arab states in row with Qatar laud Trump's supportive stance

 
Published June 11, 2017

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Arab states that have laid virtual siege on Qatar praised President Donald Trump on Saturday for enthusiastically supporting their stance when he called on the Gulf state to stop "the funding of terrorism."

Trump has aligned himself closely with Saudi Arabia and an allied bloc of Arab countries since taking office. His comments Friday firmly positioned Washington in the camp of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, which severed ties with Qatar last week and accused it of sponsoring terrorism.

Speaking from the White House Rose Garden, Trump said Qatar "has historically been a funder of terrorism at a very high level."

The row has sparked one of the worst political crises in decades among some of Washington's closest Mideast allies.

Qatar denies it backs extremist groups and says the allegations are politically motivated and intended to tarnish the country's image. Qatar has ties with Iran and has supported Islamist groups, like the Muslim Brotherhood. Saudi Arabia, however, is locked in a regional power struggle with Iran. Gulf monarchies and Egypt's government also view Islamist groups as a threat to their rule.

In separate statements Saturday, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain lauded Trump for his supportive stance.

However, earlier Friday Secretary of State Rex Tillerson sent a different message from Washington, urging Qatar's neighbors to ease their blockade and called for "calm and thoughtful dialogue."