REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- A lawmaker said he hopes the tension between Qatar and a number other Arab countries would melt soon.

Indonesia is concerned about the tension as both sides are friends of the country, chairman of the Commission I of the House of Representatives Abdul Kharis Almasyhari said here on Tuesday.

Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates , Yemen and the Maldives have cut diplomatic ties with Qatar, which was accused of protecting and financing terrorism. Qatar, however, has denined the accusation.

"The position of the Indonesian Government is taking no side, but would be active in initiating steps toward peaceful settlement through dialog," Kharis said.

He said the tension has drawn wide public attention in Indonesia over the past week as there are many Indonesians working in Qatar as well as in other Arab countries.

In addition, many hajj pilgrims from Indonesia have flown to Qatar on their way to Saudi Arabia, the politician of the Islamic Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) said.

He said he has discussed the problem with the Foreign Minister, adding he fully supports the position and initiative of the government urging the conflicting countries to use dialogs and reconciliation in solving their problem to maintain peace and stability in Middle East.

"In line with its active and free foreign policy commitment, the government of Indonesia would be active in calling for dialog and reconciliation as all countries involved in the political tension are friend of Indonesia," he said.

Kharis said Indonesia has good relations with Qatar as well as with other Arab countries such as in trade and investment, adding Indonesia is the largest countries of origin of hajj pilgrims to Saudi Arabia.

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