Qatar says talks to end Gulf blockade collapsed in January

Talks to end the blockade of Qatar by neighbouring states were suspended in January, the country's foreign minister said on Saturday.

A number of Arab states severed political, trade and transport ties with Qatar in mid-2017, accusing the country of supporting terrorism.

Discussions began in October with an aim to ending the stand-off.

However, speaking at the Munich Security Conference, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani said the talks had not succeeded.

"It's been almost three years," he said. "We were not perpetrators and are open to any offer to resolve this problem."

"Unfortunately efforts did not succeed and were suspended at the beginning of January and Qatar is not responsible for this."

Saudi Arabia along with its allies the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt cut all diplomatic, trade, and transport ties with Qatar in June 2017.

The four nations accused Doha of backing militant groups, including the Muslim Brotherhood, and seeking closer ties with Saudi arch-rival Tehran - allegations Qatar vehemently denies.