Trump stresses need for Gulf unity in a call with Saudi King Salman

In a phone call with Saudi King Salman, US President Donald Trump on Wednesday has stressed the need for Gulf unity, a senior White House official said, following a decision by Arab powers to cut ties to Qatar.

“His (Trump’s) message was that we need unity in the region to fight extremist ideology and terrorist financing. It’s important that the Gulf be united for peace and security in the region,” the senior White House official told Reuters.

Mauritania on Tuesday became the eighth country severing ties with Qatar after Saudi, UAE, Bahrain, Egypt, Yemen, Maldives and Mauritius.

Jordan on Tuesday also reduced its diplomatic status with Qatar.

In a series of tweets posted on Tuesday, Trump has said Middle East leaders pointed the finger toward Qatar when probed on who was responsible for terrorist financing in the region.

Trump said it his recent visit to Saudi Arabia and meeting with 50 other Muslim leaders was “already paying off” after a head line on funding of extremist groups in the region was agreed upon.

“They said they would take a hard line on funding extremism, and all reference was pointing to Qatar. Perhaps this will be the beginning of the end to the horror of terrorism!” Trump said.