US President Donald Trump has offered to lead US mediation, if required, to solve the dispute between Qatar and a group of Arab states, including Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain and Egypt.

Following a meeting with Kuwait’s ruler, Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Hamad al-Sabah, on 7 September at the White House, Trump said he would “… be willing to be the mediator.”

“I do believe we will solve it …if we don’t solve it, I will be a mediator right here in the White House,” said Trump in a statement following the talks. “If I can help mediate between Qatar and, in particular, the UAE and Saudi Arabia, I would be willing to do so,” added the US president.

Kuwait has been playing a mediation role in the dispute between Qatar and the group of Arab states, which began on 5 June when Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt and Bahrain severed ties with Doha on accusations that it was a sponsor of regional terrorism.

The severing of diplomatic ties was implemented in parallel with the closing of transportation links to Qatar. This included the closing of airspace, land and sea borders, hampering Qatar’s ability to import building materials and food products.