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Qatar Signs Anti-Terror Funding Agreement With US Amid Blockade

The agreement is seen as a step toward ending the sanctions against the country.

By: Jake Jones

Posted at 6:42 PM, Jul 11, 2017

and last updated 2017-07-11 18:42:37-04

Qatar has signed an agreement with the U.S. to fight "terrorism financing." And it couldn't come at a better time for the country.

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson met with his Qatari counterpart to announce the memo of understanding between the two nations.

Tillerson said: "The United States has one goal: to drive terrorism off the face of the Earth."

Tillerson is in the region this week to try and solve a simmering dispute that's left Qatar almost completely isolated.

In early June, seven countries cut ties with Qatar, saying the country was supporting terrorist groups. Qatar denies that. Four of those countries — Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bahrain and United Arab Emirates — sent Qatar a list of demands it must meet to end the de facto blockade. Those demands include severing ties to terrorist organizations and ending any funding for those considered terrorists by surrounding countries.

Qatar's foreign minister said the agreement was "not related" to the ongoing dispute.