Germany regrets minister's comment against Qatar

BERLIN, Aug 22 (KUNA) -- The German government on Friday regretted development minister's comments and accusations of Qatar of funding the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).
"If there were misunderstandings, we regret these," Foreign Ministry Spokesman Martin Sch?fer told reporters in Berlin.
German Development Minister Gerd Muller told public broadcaster ZDF earlier in the week "A story like this always has a history ... Who is financing these troops? Hint: Qatar." He added that that efforts exerted to cut off "ISIL" funding had the "keyword Qatar." An accusation categorically denied by the Qatari government which contacted the German government and expressed dismay and rejection of the claims.
Schafer said that Germany considers Qatar an important partner.
However, he said that there were several issues, "where we are not always of the same opinion." (end) anj.ibi