BUSINESS | Page 1 SPORT | Page 8 Al Shaqab’s Qemah INDEX wins at DOW JONES QE NYMEX QATAR 2-13, 28 COMMENT 26 REGION 14 BUSINESS 1-6, 10-12 Robustness of Qatari Royal Ascot 21,414.48 8,777.73 42.55 ARAB WORLD 14 CLASSIFIED 7-9 -52.66 -156.54 -0.96 INTERNATIONAL 15–25 SPORTS 1–8 economy proved again -0.25% -1.75% -2.21% Latest Figures published in QATAR since 1978 THURSDAY Vol. XXXVIII No. 10492 June 22, 2017 Ramadan 27, 1438 AH GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals Emir chairs economic aff airs council meeting Give Qatar list In brief of reasonable QATAR | Phone talk Emir, Canadian PM demands, US discuss Gulf crisis His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani held yesterday evening a telephone conversation with Canadian Prime Minister tells Saudis Justin Trudeau. During the phone call, the two leaders reviewed the Saudi Arabia and allies prepare forts to resolve the row between Qa- His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, Chairman of the Supreme Council for Economic Aff airs and latest developments in the region, list of demands tar and its neighbours, led by Riyadh. Investment, chaired the council’s third meeting in 2017 at Al Bahr Palace yesterday evening. His Highness the Deputy Emir in particular Gulf crisis and means Trump discusses Qatar with new Tillerson has been tasked by Trump to Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad al-Thani, Vice-Chairman of the Council, attended the meeting along with HE the Prime Minister to resolve it. The Canadian Prime Saudi crown prince oversee an end to the standoff that has and Interior Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani, the council’s executive member, and members of Minister expressed his concern US urges blockading nations to put key US allies at loggerheads with the council. The council discussed topics on the agenda and took appropriate decisions. The council was briefed on the over the development of the find quick solution one another. developments relating to energy and investment aff airs. situations in the region, stressing Two weeks ago, Riyadh and several of Canada’s stance, which calls for Agencies its allies including Egypt, Bahrain and calm and dialogue based on facts, Washington the UAE, cut ties with Qatar over accu- transparency and mutual respect sations that Doha supports extremist between countries to ensure the groups, – a claim Qatar denies. security and stability of the region. he United States hopes Arab In addition to diplomatic isolation, The Emir expressed his appreciation countries involved in a dip- other measures taken included closing for Trudeau’s stance calling for Tlomatic split with Qatar will Qatar’s only land border, banning its Emir congratulates new preserving the security and stability soon present Doha a list of “reason- planes from using their airspace and of the region. Meanwhile, the Emir able and actionable” demands to barring Qatari nationals from transit- sent a written message to Russian move the crisis toward a resolution, ing through their airports. President Vladimir Putin pertaining US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson On Tuesday, Washington showed to bilateral relations and the yesterday said . mounting frustration over the king- Saudi crown prince developments in the region. The The statement was issued in Till- dom’s role in the crisis. message was received by Russian erson’s name a day after the State De- Heather Nauert, Tillerson’s spokes- Mohamed bin Salman is new wishing progress and prosperity to the discussed eff orts to achieve a lasting Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov partment bluntly questioned the mo- woman said that the US was “mysti- Saudi crown prince fraternal people of Saudi Arabia under peace between the Israelis and the during a meeting with Qatar’s tives of Saudi Arabia and the United fi ed” that Saudi Arabia and its Gulf Prince Mohamed bin Nayef the king’s wise leadership, and more Palestinians. Ambassador to Russia Fahad bin Arab Emirates (UAE) in announcing allies have failed to present details jus- relieved of all posts development and growth to the deep A senior US offi cial said Washing- Mohamed al-Attiyah. their blockade of Qatar on June 5, say- tifying their embargo on Qatar. fraternal ties between the two broth- ton had no advance warning of the ing it was “mystifi ed” the Gulf states “The more that time goes by, the Agencies erly countries. prince’s promotion but could see it had not released their grievances. more doubt is raised about the actions Doha/Riyadh His Highness the Deputy Emir coming. RAMADAN THOUGHT It was Washington’s strongest lan- taken by Saudi Arabia and the UAE,” Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad al-Thani He was appointed crown prince and guage yet on a dispute that erupted af- Nauert said. and HE the Prime Minister and In- deputy prime minister by royal decree, Surely! Allah wrongs not even ter the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and “At this point, we are left with one is Highness the Emir Sheikh terior Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin but he retains the defence portfolio of the weight of an atom (or a Egypt cut diplomatic ties and transport simple question: Were the actions re- Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani also sent and still controls oil and economic small ant), but if there is any links to isolate Qatar. The Arab coun- ally about their concerns regarding Hsent yesterday a cable of con- cables of congratulations to Prince policies. good (done), He doubles it, and tries accuse Qatar of funding terror- Qatar’s alleged support for terrorism gratulations to Prince Mohamed bin Mohamed and King Salman. Mohamed bin Nayef was relieved of gives from Him a great reward. ism, fomenting regional instability or or were they about the long-simmer- Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud on be- Earlier in the day, King Salman made all his posts, according to the decree. (Qur’an 4: 40) cosying up to their enemy Iran. Qatar ing grievances between and among ing named crown prince and appointed his son Mohamed bin Salman next in The decree said the decision by has denied the accusations. the GCC countries,” Nauert had said. deputy premier in the brotherly King- line to the throne , handing the 31-year- King Salman to promote his son and Prayer times “We understand a list of demands “We’ve just said to the parties involved: dom of Saudi Arabia, wishing him suc- old sweeping powers. Mohamed bin consolidate his power was endorsed Fajr....3.15 Zuhr....11.36 Asr....2.58 has been prepared and co-ordinated Let’s fi nish this. Let’s get this going,” cess towards the good of the kingdom Salman replaces his cousin, Prince by 31 of 34 members of the Allegiance Maghrib.....6.30 Isha.....8.00 by the Saudis, Emiratis, Egyptians and Nauert added. under the wise leadership of the Cus- Mohamed bin Nayef, a veteran secu- Council, made up of senior members Bahrainis,” the Tillerson statement The fact the State Department todian of the Two Holy Mosques King rity chief who led the Saudi campaign of the ruling Al Saud family. The king Fasting times said. “We hope the list of demands will bluntly questioned Riyadh and Abu Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud, and against Islamic State and Al Qaeda. invited Saudis to pledge allegiance to Iftar today ............................6.30pm soon be presented to Qatar and will be Dhabi’s actions in public suggests further wishing more development and His appointment may make Saudi the new crown prince. Imsak tomorrow............... 3.05am reasonable and actionable.” Washington was keen for the parties to growth to the deep fraternal ties be- policy more hawkish , analysts say. Intent on dispelling speculation of Tillerson said the United States end the dispute, analysts say. tween the two brotherly countries. US President Donald Trump tele- internal divisions in the ruling dynasty, backs a Kuwaiti mediation eff ort aimed Qatar’s foreign minister, who is ex- His Highness the Emir also sent a phoned Mohamed bin Salman to con- Saudi television repeatedly aired foot- at resolving the crisis. pected to travel to Washington next cable of congratulations to King Sal- gratulate him on his elevation and the age of Mohamed bin Nayef pledging President Donald Trump yesterday week, had said Doha would not ne- man on naming Prince Mohamed two leaders discussed , among other allegiance to Mohamed bin Salman, discussed the regional crisis with new gotiate with its neighbours to resolve crown prince and appointing him things how to resolve the ongoing who knelt and kissed his older cousin’s Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin the Gulf dispute unless they first lift deputy premier, wishing the king dispute with Qatar, the White House hand, saying: “We will not give up tak- Salman. the blockade they imposed two weeks health and well-being, while further said in a statement, adding they also ing your guidance and advice.” Washington has stepped up its ef- ago. Qatar welcomes US offi cial’s remarks Eid holidays for banks from June 25 to 29 Qatar has welcomed US State support of resolving the crisis through Department Spokesperson Heather a civilised dialogue based on the Banks, insurance companies and Qatari and Omani trade Nauert’s remarks in support of sound foundations of the international financial institutions under Qatar the country on the Gulf crisis. HE community. He expressed Qatar’s Central Bank jurisdiction will remain Ambassador Ahmed bin Saeed al- support for the mediation led by closed for Eid al-Fitr from June 25 to 29, it is learnt.