Gulf crisis: Qatar gives green light to start talks 'with no preconditions'

The Qatari goverment is open for talks with the four Gulf states that imposed a blockade on the country in 2017, Defense Minister Khalid bin Mohammed al-Attiyah said on Wednesday.

He also stated that Qatar will continue to improve its defense capabilities to ensure the country’s security despite the diplomatic crisis.

During his speech at the Najah Qatari annual festival in Doha, he also underlined Qatar's intention in producing its own weapons and military equipment in order to become less dependent on foreign suppliers, according to UrduPoint News.

"We always support a political settlement and call for dialogue without preconditions. Our strategy for supporting security in the Persian Gulf region is clear; but we are responsible for the security of our country, too, and we are developing our capabilities to have a military which is capable of protecting the country on the ground, in the sea and in the air," Attiyah said.

Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain collectively severed ties with Qatar, accusing it of supporting terrorist groups.

The Saudi-led axis also imposed a land, sea and air blockade on Qatar, with Riyadh sealing the Abu Samra border crossing linking the two Gulf states.

The four-nation Arab bloc also presented Doha with a long list of demands, which included the closure of the Al Jazeera television channel and the shutting down of a Turkish military base in Qatar.

Qatar, for its part, has vociferously denied the accusations of terrorism, describing the ongoing blockade by its fellow Arab states as a violation of international law.

It has also steadfastly refused to comply with the demands laid down by the Saudi-led axis.