Qatar emir ready for deal with Bahrain

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (Reuters) -- The emir of Qatar said Tuesday that his country would withdraw a court case against Bahrain if their territorial dispute was settled before the verdict.

Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, speaking to Doha-based al-Jazeera satellite television during a visit to Iran, also said that Qatar welcomed a rapprochement with Bahrain, its Gulf Arab neighbor, despite their differences.

"I believe if the two sides agreed on an amicable solution, naturally this issue will be withdrawn from the International Court of Justice," Sheikh Hamad said.

The world court in The Hague began public hearings in May in the dispute over the small but potentially oil- and gas-rich Hawar islands, controlled by Bahrain since the 1930s but also claimed by Qatar.

Bahrain also claims Zubarah, a town on Qatar's mainland.

The two states nearly went to war over the issue in 1986.

The world court is expected to issue a verdict within four to six months of the hearings' end. A ruling will be final and binding.

Bahrain's Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa on Monday said Manama had not wanted the dispute and stressed the need to "extend bridges of closeness and cooperation and unity to the brothers in Qatar."

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