Germany urges diplomatic solution to Qatar crisis

German Vice Chancellor and Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel (R) and Qatari Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani attend a press conference on June 9, 2017 at the Duke August library in Wolfenbuettel. (AFP)

GERMANY: German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel on Friday called for increased diplomatic efforts to resolve the Qatar crisis, and said neighbouring Gulf states should lift a sea and air blockade imposed on Qatar this week.
"We are convinced that now is the hour of diplomacy and we must talk to each other; along with our American colleagues but above all our colleagues in the region, we must try to find solutions, especially lifting the sea and air blockades," Gabriel told reporters.
He spoke in Wolfenbuettel, Germany, at a news conference with Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani. Gabriel said the blockade against Qatar would also impact the German economy.