Jokowi Discusses Qatar Crisis With Middle East Leaders

Ciamis, W Java (Antara Bali) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) said here on Saturday that he had already communicated with some leaders of the Middle East countries in connection with the diplomatic crisis in the region after some Gulf countries severed ties with Qatar.

"Two days back, I called President Erdogan of Turkey over the Qatar issue. Last night, I also called Sheik Tamim, the Emir of Qatar," he said, during a visit to Miftahul Huda Islamic boarding school, in Tasikmalaya, West Java.

He stated that the government was studying the problem between Qatar and a number of Gulf countries.

He asserted that Indonesia wished to be able to contribute to the settlement of the crisis.

He explained that Indonesia has made good progress in the Middle East diplomacy, especially over Palestine, marked by its success to set up an honorary consulate in that country.

"This is a very good progress. Indonesia has been considered as being able to be neutral and act as a middleman. As a country with the world's biggest Muslim population, Indonesia must play a bigger role there," he remarked.

Indonesian foreign minister Retno Marsudi had also communicated with some of her counterparts in the Middle East countries and has appealed to them to exercise restraint and also take efforts to reduce tension there.

She revealed that she had also expressed readiness to act as a mediator to overcome the diplomatic crisis. (WDY)