Gulf nations’ demands on Qatar down to 6 from 13

The ‘easier to accept’ demands may pave the way for end to crisis

United Nations, July 19: Four Arab nations that cut ties with Qatar have urged the tiny Gulf nation to commit to six principles on combatting extremism and terrorism and negotiate a plan with specific measures to implement them, a step that could pave the way for an early resolution of the crisis. They had initially made 13 demands, which Qatar had dismissed.

Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Bahrain broke diplomatic relations with Qatar in early June, largely over their allegations that it supports terrorist and extremist groups, a charge Qatar rejects.

Saudi Arabia’s UN ambassador Abdallah AlMouallimi told a briefing for a group of UN correspondents that the four nations are now committed

The latest demands include commitment to combat terrorism, prevent financing and safe havens for terror groups and suspension of all acts of provocation

to the six principles agreed to by their foreign ministers at a meeting in Cairo on July 5, and hope Qatar will support them as well.

The principles include commitments to combat extremism and terrorism, prevent financing and safe havens for such groups, and suspend all acts of provocation and speeches inciting hatred or violence.

Mr Al-Mouallimi said the four-nation quartet thinks it “should be easy for the Qataris to accept” the six principles.

Mixed in the 13 points were what Western nations might see as fair demands, such as cracking down on support for extremists and curbing ties with Iran, and tougher-to-swallow calls to shut down the AlJazeera television network, one of Qatar’s bestknown brands and to kick out troops from Nato member Turkey, which has a base in Qatar.