Doha, Jan 14 (AFP) A controversial member of Qatar'sroyal family says he is being detained in the UAE, mediareported today, eight months into a crisis between Gulfstates.
Sheikh Abdullah bin Ali Al-Thani, a little-known royal,emerged as an unlikely mediator in August, weeks after Riyadhand Abu Dhabi cut ties with Doha.
A video circulating online, also broadcast by Qatar-basedAl-Jazeera television, shows the sheikh seated in an armchairwarning that he was "afraid something could happen to me thatwill be blamed on Qatar".
"I am now in Abu Dhabi, where I was a guest of (UAE crownprince) Sheikh Mohammed" bin Zayed al-Nahyan, he said.
"That is no longer the case. I am now detained," SheikhAbdullah said.
"I want to make clear that the people of Qatar areinnocent," the sheikh said. "Sheikh Mohammed bears fullresponsibility for anything that happens to me."The video could not be immediately authenticated, whileEmirati officials were not immediately available for comment.
Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt and Bahrain severeddiplomatic and trade ties with Qatar in June over allegationsDoha supported Islamist extremists and had close ties toregional rival Iran.
Doha denies the accusations.
In August, Sheikh Abdullah met powerful Saudi CrownPrince Mohammed bin Salman to mediate on reopening a landborder to allow Qatari pilgrims to perform the annual Muslimpilgrimage to the Saudi city of Mecca.
It was the first public high-level encounter between thetwo nations since the diplomatic crisis erupted.
Doha was quick to point out that he was in Saudi Arabiaon a personal mission and did not represent the government.
Sheikh Abdullah belongs to a branch of the Al-Thani royalfamily that has seen its power eroded but is still well-connected in the Gulf. (AFP)KIS.
This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.