US envoy for the Gulf, Anthony Zinni, has resigned. As a US State Department spokesman confirmed yesterday, Zinni, who was to mediate in the conflict between Saudi Arabia and Qatar, resigned his post. His job was to forge a Strategic Alliance in the Middle East similar to NATO.
The broadcaster CBS reported that the ex-general had found no willingness among the political leaders in the region to accept a US mediating role. He also had the impression that other representatives of the government of US President Donald Trump had already been involved in the sounding of the formation of the Strategic Alliance.
Appointed by former Secretary of State Tillerson
Zinni was appointed in August 2017 by then-Foreign Minister Rex Tillerson to mediate in the conflict between Qatar and the Saudi Arabia-led Arab state group. Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt had broken off relations with their US ally Qatar in early June 2017. They accused the Gulf emirate of supporting terrorist groups and seeking proximity to Iran.
Tillerson’s successor, US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, is currently traveling to the Gulf region, including to consolidate the coalition with Arab allies against Iran.
