Arab states disappointed over Qatar's reply to demands

By Azernews

By Kamila Aliyeva

Qatari diplomatic crisis deepens as Doha’s reply to the demands of its Arab neighbours which followed Qatar’s isolation was disclosed.

Doha’s response says that Qatar is not the only Arab country that maintains relations with Iran, and the Arab countries, for their part, must also follow this requirement and reduce the level of diplomatic representation in Tehran, according to the Qatari press.

In addition, Doha excludes the possibility of closing the Turkish military base, arguing that the Charter of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCCC) does not prohibit such cooperation with other countries.

Responding on demand to close Al Jazeera TV channel, the Qatari authorities suggested that the four Arab countries should act symmetrically and stop broadcasting of other Arab channels, such as Al Arabiya and Al Hadath, headquartered in the UAE.

Four Arab nations have voiced "regret" over Doha’s "negative reply" to their demands, according to a joint statement.

The statement was issued after the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt and Bahrain held a meeting in Cairo.

The ministers of Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates "regret the negative response from Qatar," the statement, read out by Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry after meeting in Cairo, said.

"The response the four states got was overall negative and lacked any content. We find it did not provide a basis for Qatar to retreat from its policies," Shoukry said, adding that Doha's "position reflects a failure to realize the gravity of the situation."

Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir, at a joint press conference, said that further steps against Qatar will be taken at the appropriate time in line with the international law.

He added that economic boycott against Qatar will remain until the country changes its policies for the better.

The minister also said he hoped that Turkey remained neutral in the crisis, while he called Iran "the biggest supporter of terrorism."

Meanwhile, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has underlined his country's support for Qatar once again and expressed discontent with the demand for the closure of a Turkish military base in Doha.

He said the demand shows "a lack of respect toward us and Qatar."

Saudi Arabia and its allies have not revealed what steps they could take next, but there are fears of a wider embargo that would hurt the Qatari economy, with credit ratings agency Moody's announcing it was changing Qatar's outlook to negative over the crisis.

Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, along with Egypt, cut diplomatic and transport ties with Qatar in early June, accusing the country of supporting "extremism" and their regional ally, Iran - the charges that Qatar has repeatedly denied.

The blockade has disrupted imports of food and other materials into Qatar and caused many foreign banks to scale back their business with the country.

The Gulf Arab states required Doha to cut diplomatic relations with Iran, close the Turkish military base, eliminate Al-Jazeera TV channel, extradite all persons wanted in four countries on charges of terrorism and pay compensation.

Currently, Kuwait is mediating the conflict in the Persian Gulf.