Gulf nations give Qatar two days ‘grace period’

Arab nations extended a deadline early on Monday for Qatar to respond to their list of demands in a diplomatic crisis roiling the Gulf, saying Kuwait's emir requested the delay as part of his efforts to mediate the dispute.

Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Bahrain cut off ties with 2022 FIFA World Cup host Qatar on June 5, restricting access to their airspace and ports and sealing Qatar’s only land border, which it shares with Saudi Arabia.

That extension, what the four countries call a "grace period" offered to Qatar, is based on the Qatari government's assertion that it will send its official response to the list of demands addressed to it on Monday.

They issued a 13-point list of demands to end the standoff June 22 and gave the natural gas-rich country 10 days to comply. The new deadline would expire late Tuesday or early Wednesday.

The four nations cut ties to Qatar over allegations it supports extremists and over worries it maintains too-close ties to Shiite power Iran. Qatar long has denied sponsoring militants and maintains ties to Iran as it shares a massive offshore natural gas field with the country.

“Qatar is not an easy country to be swallowed by anyone. We are ready. We stand ready to defend our country. I hope that we don't come to a stage where, you know, a military intervention is made,” Qatari Defense Minister Khalid bin Mohammed al-Attiyah said.

Qatar's foreign minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani showed no signs of backing down in during a press briefing in Rome on Saturday, saying they were never meant to be accepted and that his country "is prepared to face whatever consequences."

While in Rome, Al Thani met with Italian Foreign Minister Angelino Alfano, who gave his backing to ongoing mediation efforts led by Kuwait. US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has also tried to resolve the dispute, with US last week urging Saudi Arabia and its allies to stay open to negotiation with Qatar.