Qaradawi tries to soothe Gulf rift

DOHA: A Qatar-based Islamic scholar whose fiery sermons strained ties between Doha and its neighbors sent a conciliatory message to countries he has criticized in an apparent attempt to help end a rift between the Gulf allies.
Sheikh Yousuf Qaradawi, an Egyptian-born scholar, said all views expressed in his preaching were his own and not those of Qatar.
“My personal position does not reflect the position of the Qatari government ... I do not take an official position, but just express my personal opinion,” he said in an e-mailed statement.
“I would like to say I love all the countries of the Gulf, and they all love me: Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Bahrain. I consider them one country and one house,” he said. “What I said, and I say, is a matter of sincere advice, which will prove its sincerity after a while,” he said.
On reports he would be leaving Qatar. He said: “... Qatar is a part of me ... I am now 88, and I will stay in Qatar to be buried in its soil.”