Influential cleric attempts to soothe Gulf rift

DOHA (Reuters) - An influential Qatar-based Islamist whose fiery sermons strained ties between Doha and its neighbours sent a conciliatory message to countries he has criticised in an apparent attempt to help end a rift between the Gulf Arab allies.

Sheikh Youssef al-Qaradawi, an Egyptian-born cleric whose sermons have often admonished the authorities in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), said all views expressed in his preaching were his own and not those of Qatar.