Shipping routes via Oman opened to give Qatar food lifeline

Before arrival, PM Nawaz was briefed about the ongoing situation by the ambassadors in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Qatar.

Qatar, a country of 2.2 million people where citizens make up over 10 percent of the population, discovered the offshore North Field in 1971, the same year it became independent.

"It's not about Iran or Al Jazeera", Sheikh Mohammed told reporters in Paris after meeting his French counterpart.

Qatar is a huge import country, especially for perishable goods (mainly food).

The country has strenuously denied all charges, rejecting them as "unjustified" and "baseless".

But the terrorism list published by the UAE and Saudi revealed the depth of Doha's patronage to Islamist and extremist groups. "If we're going to lose a dollar, they will lose a dollar also", he said.

Qatar supports Kuwait's efforts to end a rift with Saudi Arabia and other Arab states, its foreign minister said on Monday, but the emirate remains puzzled over why "abusive measures" had been imposed on it, Reuters reported.

"We are extremely comfortable with our positions, our investments and liquidity in our systems", he said.

Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt and Bahrain last week cut diplomatic ties with Qatar over alleged accusations that Doha was supporting worldwide Islamist extremists who are threats to the region's peace and security. Turkey and Iran have been providing food and water supplies to the gas-rich country after the Arab countries cut links with it, accusing Doha of supporting terrorism.

Eritrea's decision comes only a few days after Qatar and Saudi Arabia officials sought diplomatic support from Ethiopia and Eritrea as their East African allies.

The leadership from Pakistan will to mediate and ease the diplomatic crisis between Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

Baker said 18 destinations were now out of bounds for the airline. "Airlines offices are not political arms", he said.

Qatar's Central Bank said yesterday banking transactions at home and overseas were continuing normally despite the diplomatic crisis which has seen several Gulf countries sever ties with the emirate.

Meanwhile, Qatar on Monday announced it had launched direct shipping services to ports in Oman, a move that bypasses a Gulf "blockade" on a country largely dependent on food imports. "Along with Turkey, it is the country with the most resolute stance against ISIS which has caused grave damage to our region", Erdogan continued.