Gulf rivals not seeking Qatar 'regime change'

A senior Emirati official insisted on Wednesday (June 7th) that Gulf Arab states were not seeking regime change in Doha, as tensions built between Qatar and its neighbours, AFP reported.

UAE state minister for foreign affairs Anwar Gargash accused Qatar of being "the main champion of extremism and terrorism in the region".

But he also said measures taken against Qatar this week by Saudi Arabia, the UAE and other Arab nations were not aimed at seeking new leadership in Doha.

"This is not about regime change -- this is about change of policy, change of approach," Gargash said.

Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the UAE and Bahrain announced on Monday they were cutting diplomatic ties and closing air, sea and land links with Qatar, giving Qataris within their borders two weeks to leave.

The four countries have suspended all flights to and from Qatar, pulled their ambassadors from Doha and ordered Qatari diplomats to leave.

Riyadh and its allies accuse Qatar of supporting extremist groups and of serving the interests of Iran, claims Doha has strongly rejected.

The dispute has sparked the worst diplomatic crisis in the Arab world in years.

Kuwait is leading efforts to find a mediated solution. Its Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad Al-Sabah held talks with Saudi King Salman on Tuesday but there were no immediate signs of progress.

The US, France and Russia have called for dialogue, while Turkey has defended Qatar and said it would further "develop" ties with Doha.

Qatar has said it is open to talks to end the crisis but has also accused its neighbours of impinging on its sovereignty.

Ali bin Smaikh al-Marri, chairman of Qatar's national human rights committee, late on Tuesday accused Saudi Arabia and its allies of violating the rights of Qatari citizens with orders for them to leave Gulf countries.

The UAE meanwhile warned that anyone showing sympathy with Qatar could face jail time or fines.