BEIJING, July 10 (Xinhua) -- The Qatari government, in efforts to deal with the diplomatic row triggered by severance of relations by four Arab states, announced Sunday that it is taking steps to set up a committee to pursue compensation for damages therefrom.
British Foreign Minister Boris Johnson arrived in the Middle East over the weekend to mediate the disputes. He said on Saturday that the diplomatic rift cannot be healed in short time.
PURSUING COMPENSATION
Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Egypt and Bahrain last month cut off diplomatic relations, severed air, land and sea links with Qatar and ordered Qatari citizens to leave their countries within two weeks, accusing it of backing terrorism and extremism. Qatar has denied the allegations.
Qatari Public Prosecutor Ali Al-Marri told reporters Sunday in Doha, Qatar's capital, that the committee to be established will deal with claims made by private companies, public institutions and individuals.
The body would use both domestic and international mechanisms to pursue compensation, and will hire overseas law firms to handle its claims, he added.
"Some businessmen and banks have sustained damages due to the blockade. Those who caused these damages must pay compensation for them," he said.
According to Doha's National Human Rights Committee, the sanctions imposed as a result of the blockade have violated the rights of about 140 Qatari pupils currently studying in the UAE, Saudi and Bahrain.
The Qatari justice minister and foreign minister will be members of the committee.
CONTINUING DISPUTES
The Arab quartet, led by Saudi Arabia, said in a joint statement Friday that "the Qatari government has thwarted all efforts including diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis," Emirates state news agency WAM reported.
Doha denies accusations of links to extremist groups.
There have been speculation that Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain would try to expel Qatar from the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council, or even jeopardize Qatar's membership in the Arab League.
British Foreign Minister Boris Johnson arrived in the Middle East on Friday to meet representatives from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Kuwait in order to heal a rift between Qatar and other Arab states.
"My impression is progress can be made and there is a way forward," Johnson said Saturday in a televised interview released to media after meeting senior government officials in Kuwait.
"But I'm not going to pretend to you now that it is necessarily overnight or this is going to be done in the next couple of days," he said.
U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is scheduled to arrive in regional mediator Kuwait Monday.
