The Qatar-based cleric sent a conciliatory message to countries

The Qatar-based Egyptian cleric, whose sermons ignited sectarianism and terrorism in Syria and strained ties between Doha and its neighbors, sent a conciliatory message to countries he criticized 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.

"My personal position does not reflect the position of the Qatari government ... I do not take on an official position, but just express my personal opinion," he said in an emailed statement on Sunday.

The ageing cleric used unusually placatory language about Qatar's neighbors, some of whom he has accused of a variety of failings including being insufficiently Islamic.

"I would like to say I love all the countries of the Gulf, and they all love me: Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Bahrain. I consider them one country and one house," he claimed in his statement.

Qaradawi said the opinions he expressed in his public statements were only delivered as a means of constructive criticism.

"What I said, and I say, is a matter of sincere advice, which will prove its sincerity after a while," he said.

The UAE summoned the Qatari ambassador in February over what it said were insults by Qaradawi in a Qatar state television broadcast in which he condemned the UAE as anti-Islamic.

In a sermon shortly afterwards, Qaradawi apparently addressed the UAE: "Were you angry at me because of two lines I said about you? What if I gave an entire sermon just on your scandals and injustices?"

In his statement, Qaradawi denied media reports that he would be leaving Qatar soon. He said: "I am part of Qatar, Qatar is a part of me ... I am now 88 years old, and I will stay in Qatar to be buried in its soil."