US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo signs an MOU and statement of intent with Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, the Deputy Prime Minister and Qatari Minister of Foreign Affairs (not pictured), at the Sheraton Grand in the Qatari capital Doha on
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Sunday an ongoing blockade of Qatar by four of America's allies in the Middle East "has dragged on too long," though he gave no sign of any coming breakthrough in the crisis.
Stopping off in Qatar as part of a Mideast tour, America's top diplomat made a repeated point to say that "great things" were happening between Qatar and the United States.
"We're all more powerful when we're working together," Pompeo said at a news conference. "Disputes between countries that have a shared objective are never helpful."
Pompeo said he signed a memorandum of understanding with Qatar regarding the expansion and renovation of Al Udeid Air Base, which hosts the forward headquarters of the US military's Central Command and some 10,000 American troops.
Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates began a blockade of Qatar in June 2017.
Earlier this month, Gen Anthony Zinni, a former commander of US Central Command who retired from the Marine Corps in 2000, resigned as special American envoy to resolve the dispute. Regional analysts suggested it may be in part to intransigence of those involved in the crisis.
"The departure of Mr. Zinni in no way reflects any change in America's Middle East efforts, our strategy or our ongoing commitment to the region," Pompeo said. "It was a time for change. He made this decision to move on, but America's commitment remains unchanged."
From Qatar, Pompeo travels to Saudi Arabia on his Mideast tour. The relationship between Riyadh and Washington remains tense following the October assassination of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul. Members of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's entourage have been implicated in the killing and US lawmakers have demanded America pull back its support of the Saudi-led war in Yemen.
"We will continue to have a conversation with the crown prince and the Saudis about ensuring that the accountability is full and complete with respect to the unacceptable murder of Jamal Khashoggi," Pompeo said.
"We'll continue to talk about that and make sure we have all the facts so that they are held accountable certainly by the Saudis, but by the United States as well, where appropriate," he added.
