Rex Tillerson Asks Gulf States To Ease Qatar Blockade

WASHINGTON, DC — Secretary of State Rex Tillerson called for Gulf states to ease their blockade against Qatar, citing humanitarian concerns, after several of the country's neighbors cut off ties to the Arab nation in a move cheered by President Trump. The blockade has been justified by citing the Qatari government's support of terrorist activities.

"The situation in the Arabian Gulf is troubling to the United States, the region and to many people who are directly affected," Tillerson said. "We call on Qatar to be responsive to the concerns of its neighbors. Qatar has a history of supporting groups that have spanned the spectrum of political expression, from activism to violence. The Emir of Qatar has made progress in halting financial support and expelling terrorist elements from his country. But he must do more, and he must do it more quickly."

He continued: "We call on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt to ease the blockade against Qatar. There are humanitarian consequences to this blockade We are seeing shortages of food, families are being forcibly separated, and kids pulled out of school."

Tillerson also added that the blockade hinders American attempts to fight ISIS.

On Tuesday, Trump tweeted: "So good to see the Saudi Arabia visit with the King and 50 countries already paying off. They said they would take a hard line on funding... ...extremism, and all reference was pointing to Qatar. Perhaps this will be the beginning of the end to the horror of terrorism!"

Connecticut Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy tweeted about the administration's apparently muddled messaging on the topic.

"Tillerson strongly opposes blockade," he wrote. "[Trump] tweeted enthusiastic support. I don't think this is how foreign policy is supposed to work."

Watch Tillerson's remarks below:

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