American Gulf peaks .. Deep differences run by Washington.. !!

WASHINGTON, Mar. 18 (YPA) – US President Donald Trump’s upcoming meetings with leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries in Washington are unlikely to solve the GCC crisis that erupted on June 5 after Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt cut ties with Qatar and impose a blockade on it, media sources said.

Trump is due to meet Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman next Tuesday, while Qatar’s Prince Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani will meet on April 10 at the White House.

According to a senior administration official, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed asked for the postponement of the meeting with Trump to be after the latter meets Emir of Qatar.

Ben Zayed was scheduled to meet with Trump on March 27, but asked to be the last one who  meets him, and no new date had yet been set, according to the US official.

A US administration official said the parties of the crisis in the GCC were not agreed with each other and were not prepared to resolve it.

In addition to the GCC crisis, the leaders are likely to hold talks with Trump on confronting Iran and deepening economic and military partnership,

Washington plans to host a US-Gulf summit later this year, but prospects are slim as the row continues.

The Trump administration is concerned that the GCC will be divided in favor of Iran, under the power struggle in the Middle East.

The schism has divided the GCC, and has hurt US-led efforts to maintain a strong front against Iran, as Washington has argued.

Sameera Hassn