Saudi Arabia discusses Qatar crisis with allies
SAUDI Arabia and allies that have cut ties with Qatar were locked in talks in Egypt yesterday on the diplomatic crisis after Doha dismissed their demands as impossible.
The four Arab nations – which include the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt – accuse Qatar of supporting extremism, a charge it denies. They gave the isolated emirate an extra 48 hours to meet their ultimatum after an initial 10-day deadline passed on Sunday.
Saudi Arabia said early yesterday the four had received Qatar’s response and that they would respond “at the right time”.
Foreign ministers from the four countries that broke off diplomatic and trade relations with Qatar were due to meet in Cairo yesterday morning.
Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman AlThani handed an official response on Monday to Kuwait, which is mediating in the dispute, but its contents have not been disclosed.
Doha has said it will not bow to pressure and that the demands seem designed to be rejected.
Sheikh Mohammed told a press conference on Tuesday that the list of demands from the four countries “is unrealistic and is not actionable”.
“It’s not about terrorism, it’s talking about shutting down freedom of speech,” he said.
The demands included Doha ending support for the Muslim Brotherhood, closing broadcaster AlJazeera and downgrading its diplomatic ties with Iran, as well as shutting down a Turkish military base in the emirate.
Riyadh and its supporters have severed air, sea and ground links with Qatar, cutting off vital routes for imports including food.
They have also ordered Qatari citizens to leave their territories and taken various steps against Qatari firms and financial institutions.
Sheikh Mohammed said Doha was looking for a solution to the monthlong crisis based on dialogue.
“The state of Qatar has adopted a very constructive attitude since the beginning of the crisis.
“We are trying to act mature and discuss the matter.”
The four countries have suggested further sanctions could be imposed if Doha does not comply.
Riyadh and its allies have also accused Doha of being too close to their regional arch-rival Iran.
The crisis has raised concerns of growing instability in the region, home to some of the world’s largest energy exporters and key Western allies who host US military bases.
Qatar is the world’s leading producer of liquefied natural gas and on Tuesday state-owned Qatar Petroleum said it was planning a significant production increase over the coming years.
The country’s gas riches have transformed it in recent years into one of the world’s wealthiest countries, a major international investor and a regional player that will host the 2022 football World Cup.
Qatar has also pursued a more independent foreign policy than many of its neighbours, who tend to follow the lead of regional powerhouse Saudi Arabia.
UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahyan said on Tuesday it was “premature” to discuss what further action might be taken against Qatar.
Any measures that are taken will be “within the framework of international law”, Sheikh Abdullah said.
“Any independent state has the right to take measures against any party,” he added, urging Doha to listen to “the voice of reason and wisdom”. — AFP