Germany puzzled by US stance over Qatar

DUBAI (AP):

Germany's Foreign Ministry says it is trying to understand the US position on the Gulf crisis, after Saudi Arabia and other nations cut ties to Qatar.

US President Donald Trump said Tuesday that Middle Eastern leaders complained about Qatar when he demanded an end to support for radical ideology that encourages terrorism. Trump also appeared to suggest the decision to sever diplomatic relations with Qatar, home to a large US military base, was understandable.

In Berlin, Foreign Ministry spokesman Martin Schaefer said yesterday that while statements from the US State Department were in line with Germany's position, "I can indeed see differences in some 140 character comments by the American president."

Schaefer told reporters German diplomats were in touch with State Department and National Security Council officials to clarify the US stance.