Doha: The role of the late Amir of the State of Kuwait, H H Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah in finding solution to the Gulf crisis, triggered due to illegal blockade of Qatar, will always be remembered.
Widely known as a peacemaker, H H Sheikh Sabah always advocated for diplomacy to iron out the differences. Whenever tensions flared in the region, his diplomacy played crucial role in calming the nerves and easing the pressure.
In his pursuit to find a solution to the crisis, he held multiple meetings with global leaders including meeting with US President Donald Trump.
After the illegal siege was imposed on Qatar by blockading countries on June 5, 2017, H H Sheikh Sabah acted quickly to solve the dispute that showed his commitment to the unity of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). It was very disheartening for Sheikh Sabah to see the rift in the GCC because he had played an instrumental role in the formation of the GCC in 1981. Speaking at the opening of the second ordinary session of the 15th legislative term of the National Assembly in October 2017, H H Sheikh Sabah stressed on the need to adhere to the approach of calm and avoid the conflict to overcome this crisis.
He always emphasised the unity of GCC. “What brings us together is stronger than what divides us. Let us ask God to calm the souls because the GCC is a solid castle and a banner of security, dignity and prosperity,” he had said.
He warned about the risks of escalation of the crisis, which could permanently damage the social fabric of the Gulf and its people. He said the history and future generations of the Gulf and the Arabs would not forgive anyone who contributes, even with one word, to fuel this dispute or be part in it, according to Kuwait News Agency.
The efforts of H H Sheikh Sabah to solve the crisis were also recognised by global leaders. In August, 2017 UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres confirmed the organisation’s full support to Kuwaiti mediation efforts led by H H Sheikh Sabah to solve the Gulf crisis. Next year, in November 2018, the European Union (EU) affirmed its support for mediation efforts led by H H Sheikh Sabah to solve the crisis.
Last year in March, the US State Department praised the role of H H Sheikh Sabah in seeking a resolution to the Gulf crisis. During the fourth ordinary session of Kuwait’s National Assembly’s 15th legislative term, H H the Amir of Kuwait had said that disputes between brothers in the GCC were no longer acceptable, according to QNA.
He said that the Gulf crisis had weakened the capabilities of the GCC countries and threatened their achievements. Emphasising the unity of gulf countries, he called leaders to rise above the difference.
