Trump, Saudi king put heads together to end regional dispute with Qatar

US President Donald Trump and Saudi Arabia’s King Salman are both in discussion to find a lasting diplomatic resolution to end a lingering regional dispute with Qatar.

According to a report from White House, Trump discussed the issue Wednesday in a telephone conversation with Saudi’s King Salman, with Trump telling Salman that a diplomatic resolution would fulfill a commitment — made when Trump visited Riyadh — to maintain unity while fighting terrorism.

The diplomatic crisis began in June, when Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates cut ties to Qatar over allegations that it was funding extremists and was too close to Iran. Qatar has denied funding extremists.

Read also: 18 terrorist groups linked to Doha is “disappointing surprise”, Qatar says

Oil rich Qatar has sought legal redress owing to the ongoing blockade with plans to demand for compensation for losses incurred by the crisis championed by four Arab countries led by Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

Reports say Qatar’s economy minister Ahmed bin Jassim Al Thani was in Geneva, Switzerland weeks ago to discuss the case for compensation with the heads of international trade organisations.

There are also reports that Qatar has contracted a specialised legal team to study the actions taken by the blockading countries against it, according to a statement from the economy ministry in Doha.