Trump to meet with Arab leaders in push for Qatar peace deal: report

President Trump is reportedly set to field a series of meetings with Arab leaders in an effort to reach a peace deal over Qatar.

Axios reported Friday that Trump will host leaders from Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates in separate meetings in hopes of ending a squabble that has lasted for months.

The goal is to reach a peace deal at a summit in Washington or Camp David in the late spring, according to Axios.

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The list of leaders expected to visit Washington includes Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan and Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the emir of Qatar.

A number of Arab countries have been locked in a diplomatic dispute with Qatar for months. That dispute began in June, when several countries, including Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates, cut ties with the small Gulf nation.

At issue is Qatar’s relations with Iran and what other Gulf states say is its support for terrorism. Qatar has acknowledged that it has supported Islamist organizations, but denies backing militant groups.

The countries issued a list of 13 demands for Qatar as a requirement for re-establishing diplomatic relations, though Doha has largely refused the demands.

The dispute has put the U.S. in an awkward position, because it relies on Gulf states as key allies in the coalition to combat Islamic State militants in the region.