Launching an extraordinary allegation against a key U.S. military partner, Trump derided what he called Qatar's "extremist ideology in terms of funding" terrorist groups, an accusation Qatar has repeatedly and vehemently denied.
But the three governments made no mention of Tillerson's appeal for them to end their land and sea blockade of Qatar.
US President Donald Trump (C-L) and Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud.
Qatar has disputed the claim that it funds terrorists, with its Ministry of Foreign Affairs saying in English on its website that they are "unfounded allegations" and that the actions taken against it by its neighboring nations are "not justified". It will, therefore, be the beginning of the end to terrorism.
"The nation of Qatar, unfortunately, has historically been a funder of terrorism at a very high level", he said.
"I won't name other countries", Trump said.
Erdogan has said isolating Qatar would not resolve any problems.
The crisis is a major diplomatic test for the United States, which is a close ally of countries on both sides. The administration is also demanding Qatar drop all support for Syria's Salafist groups; those which adhere to the ideology of al Qaeda, the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), and their subsidiaries.
Secretary of State Rex Tillerson speaks about Qatar at the State Department in Washington, Friday June 9, 2017. "I addressed a summit of more than 50 Arab and Muslim leaders, a unique meeting in the history of nations, where key players in the region agreed to stop supporting terrorism, whether it be financial, military or even moral support", Trump said.
The The Sage Group plc (SGE) Rating Reiterated by Deutsche Bank AG
Among 9 analysts covering CAE Inc. 18/08/2016 - Telecom Plus had its "Buy" rating reiterated by analysts at FinnCap. Huntington Steele Ltd Limited Liability Company has invested 0.11% of its portfolio in BAE Systems plc (LON:BA).
"We had a decision to make: do we take the easy road or do we finally take a hard but necessary action?" "There are on-going cases and we have, the courts have, concluded and prosecuted certain individuals".
He was referring to the enormous Al-Udeid airbase, the United States' biggest in the Middle East which is home to some 10,000 U.S. troops. "It's long standing. We are committed to it".
The blockade is also impeding USA and other worldwide business activities in the region, Tillerson said, creating hardship for the people of Qatar and people whose livelihood depends on doing business with Qatar. Tillerson said the blockade was causing food shortages, the forced separation of families and children being pulled out of school.
Tillerson praised efforts by Kuwait to mediate the crisis and said Washington would support the emir of Kuwait.
"The blockade is also impairing U.S. and other global business activities in the region and has created a hardship on the people of Qatar and the peoples whose livelihoods depend on commerce with [Doha]", he said.
With about 11,000 military personnel, Al Udeid Air Base is the largest USA military installation in the Middle East and the forward headquarters of CENTCOM.
But with ties Qatar and its neighbours severed, Asian Football Confederation general secretary Windsor John said the continental body was assessing events. It hosts the U.S. Fifth Fleet.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Friday Turkey would stand by Qatar amid a diplomatic row engulfing the Gulf state.
Tillerson said that after speaking with Gulf leaders it is clear "that the elements of a solution are available" and that the US expects "that these countries will immediately take steps to de-escalate the situation and put forth a good faith effort to resolve their grievances they have with each other".
Comments