Gulf rift with Qatar widens

MORE SANCTIONS: DOHA REJECTS ALL DEMANDS

Arab states’ wish list is attempt to curtail small state’s sovereignty, says govt.

Dubai

Qatar faces possible further sanctions by Arab states that have severed ties with Doha over allegations of links to terrorism – as a deadline for the acceptance of a series of demands was expected to expire yesterday, with no signs of the crisis ending.

Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani said the demands were made to be rejected, adding that the Arab ultimatum was aimed not at tackling terrorism but at curtailing his country’s sovereignty.

But he told reporters in Rome that Doha remained ready to sit down and discuss the grievances raised by its Arab neighbours.

“This list of demands is made to be rejected. It’s not meant to be accepted or ... to be negotiated,” Sheikh Mohammed said.

The feud erupted last month when Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt severed diplomatic and travel ties with Qatar, accusing it of supporting terrorism and being an ally of regional foe Iran – charges which Doha denies.

The countries have threatened further sanctions against Qatar if it does not comply with their list of 13 demands, which were presented to Doha by Kuwaiti mediators 10 days ago.

The demands include closing a Turkish military base in Qatar and shutting down the Al Jazeera pan-Arab television network, which Doha also rejected.

Qatar’s Gulf critics accuse Al Jazeera of being a platform for extremists and an agent of interference in their affairs. The network has rejected the accusations and said it will maintain its editorial independence.

But UAE foreign affairs minister Anwar Gargash played down escalation, describing the situation as “a parting ways”. – Reuters