国际英语新闻:French top diplomat to visits Gulf states over diplomatic row

PARIS, July 12 (Xinhua) -- French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian will fly to Gulf states at the week-end to help end ongoing diplomatic row with Qatar, the foreign ministry said Wednesday in a statement.

During his two-day visit to Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Kuwait, Le Drian hoped Paris' initiative would contribute to reinforce Kuwait mediation to ease tension in the region.

The trip, scheduled for the July 15 and 16, was in line with similar moves being adopted by the United States, Britain and Germany to resolve the crisis, it added.

"Concerned by current tensions that are affecting these countries with which we have close and friendly ties, we call for a rapid de-escalation that would be in everyone's interest," the French ministry said.

Early last month, the Saudi-led four countries along with other states had severed diplomatic ties with Qatar and cut off sea, land and air links to the tiny rich Gulf nation, accusing Doha of supporting terrorism, interfering in their internal affairs and seeking closer ties with Iran, a Saudi rival.

Qatar has dismissed as "baseless" the Saudi-led bloc's accusations that it supports terrorism and interferes in their internal affairs.

Kuwait, as a mediator for solving the crisis, the U.S. and Britain have called for "a rapid end" to the crisis between Qatar and its Arab neighbors through dialogue. They urged all parties to "contain this crisis rapidly, and find a solution through dialogue as soon as possible".

The Arab countries' foreign ministers, who met in Cairo on July 5, are scheduled to meet in Bahrain soon.