The leaders of the US and Saudi Arabia spoke Tuesday as a growing number of countries moved to sever ties with Qatar over alleged ties to terror networks.
US President Donald Trump spoke with Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, on the need for regional cooperation in preventing the financing of terrorism and “eliminating the promotion of extremism by any nation in the region,” according to a readout of the conversation released by the White House, which did not mention Qatar by name.
“The President underscored that a united Gulf Cooperation Council is critical to defeating terrorism and promoting regional stability,” the document said. Qatar hosts one of the largest US military bases in the region.
The UAE announced Wednesday that “expressing sympathy, inclination or favoritism toward Qatar” is punishable by three to 15 years in prison, alongside a minimum fine of 500,000 dirhams ($136,000).” Read more at CNN.
{Matzav}
