Blinks First In Gulf Crisis, Says Let's Talk

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 "Qatar is fighting terrorism relentlessly and without compromise, and the international community recognises this," Sheikh Tamim said in the televised speech.

 He spoke hours after U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said the United States was satisfied with Qatar's efforts to implement an agreement aimed at combating terror financing, and urged the four states to lift their "land blockade". 

 An official comment from the four Arab countries had yet to be issued, but a Saudi royal court advisor described it as a piece of literary work written by a school student. 

"Had it been written by a student in middle school he would have flunked," Saud al-Qahtani wrote on his Twitter account. Commentators hosted by the Saudi-owned al-Arabiya television also denounced the speech.

 "This is a speech of obstinacy which sends messages that Qatar will not stop supporting terrorism," said Ali al-Naimi, editor of an online news website published in the UAE.

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