US Satisfied With Qatar’s Effort in Implementing Counterterror Deal - Tillerson

The United States is satisfied with the counterterrorism efforts made by the Qatari authorities after an agreement that the two has achieved earlier this month.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The United States is satisfied with the efforts Qatar has made to implement a plan to crack down on terrorism that the two nations agreed to earlier this month, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said at the Department of State on Friday.

"The Qataris have continued to move forward on the MOU [memorandum of understanding]… to address terrorism, terror financing, counterterrorism concerns people have, and they have been very aggressive in implementing that agreement," Tillerson told reporters. "So, I think we are satisfied with the effort they're putting forth."

The United States and Qatar signed the MOU during Tillerson’s visit to the country on July 11, with Doha agreeing to take new steps to combat the funding of terrorism.

Earlier on Friday, United Arab Emirates (UAE) Foreign Affairs Minister Anwar Gargash said the changes were a positive step in resolving the crisis between Qatar and the other Gulf and Arab nations.

UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Egypt cut diplomatic ties with Qatar last month and imposed a blockade on the country. The four nations accuse Qatar of supporting terror groups and aligning with Iran, allegations the Qatari government denies.

Tillerson said on Friday he hoped the four nations would consider lifting the land blockade in a sign of good faith, saying the restrictions were having negative effects on the Qatari people.