19 July, 2017
The development emerged hours after The Washington Post newspaper, citing unidentified USA intelligence officials, reported that the UAE had orchestrated the hacking of Qatari government websites in May to post pro-Iran comments that ultimately led to the feud. The story said the Emirates orchestrated the hacks, though it said it wasn't clear whether the UAE carried out the cyber attack on its own, or contracted another party to do it.
The French foreign minister has supported Kuwait as a mediator in the Gulf crisis, which he said should be resolved "by the Gulf countries themselves".
"France calls for the lifting, as soon as possible, of the measures that affect the populations in particular, bi-national families that have been separated or students", French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian told reporters in Doha, after he met his counterpart Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani.
USA intelligence agencies confirmed in May that the UAE government discussed a plan to breach Qatar government websites, according to the Post.
According to the same source, the hacks and posting took place on May 24.
Saudi Arabia's move was welcomed by United States president Donald Trump despite a large U.S. presence at the Al Udeid Air Base, the primary base of USA air operations against the Islamic State. "The UAE had no role whatsoever in the alleged hacking described in the article", he said, before reiterating his country's complaints about Qatar's maverick foreign policy.
He added, "What is true is Qatar's behavior. Inciting violence, encouraging radicalisation, and undermining the stability of its neighbours", the statement said.
The revelations came as e-mails purportedly hacked from Mr Otaiba's private account have circulated to journalists over the past several months.
Gargash refused to give details of any further punitive measures being planned, beyond saying financial institutions and "people being harboured and supported by Qatar" might be targeted.
Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt cut diplomatic and transport ties with Qatar in June, accusing it of supporting terrorism and Iran. And, no matter the White House's mixed messaging, American diplomats appear to be pushing for conciliation and compromise with Qatar rather than seeking Doha's acquiescence to the Saudi and Emirati demands.
The refinancing of a $1 billion loan by Doha Festival City, a retail and hospitality complex in Qatar, has been indefinitely postponed as a diplomatic crisis deters regional banks from doing new Qatari business, bankers said.
At no time in the situation has the bloc offered any evidence in support of its allegations, prompting speculation, even by the United States, that its motivations for the blockade might be fueled by pre-existing issues, rather than a concern for global security.
