Pompeo pushes for resolution of Qatar dispute

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Sunday urged Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Bahrain to end their blockade of Qatar, which the other four nations last summer accused of support for terrorism as well as Saudi rival state Iran.

"We are all more powerful when we are working together and disputes are limited," Pompeo said from the Qatari capital of Doha. "When we have a common challenge, disputes between countries with shared objectives are never helpful." Later, Pompeo told a U.S. diplomat the blockade is "on everyone's mind, and [it's] not at all clear that the rift is any closer to being resolved today than it was yesterday — and I regret that."

All five Gulf nations are U.S. partners, and Qatar hosts about 10,000 U.S. troops. While in Qatar, Pompeo approved an agreement concerning the renovation and expansion of the air base where those forces operate.

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