DUBAI: The
Four Arab countries which have cut ties with
Qatar said on Sunday they were
ready for talks to tackle the dispute if Doha showed willingness to deal with their demands.
The foreign ministers of Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the United
Arab Emirates (UAE) met in the Bahraini capital Manama to discuss the crisis that has raised tensions across the region. Diplomatic efforts led by Kuwait and backed by Western powers have failed to end the dispute, in which the
Four states have severed travel and communications with Qatar.
"The
Four countries are
ready for
dialogue with
Qatar with the condition that it an**unces its sincere willingness to stop funding terrorism and extremism and its commitment to **t interfere in other countries´ foreign affairs and respond to the 13 demands," Bahrain´s foreign minister, Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed al-Khalifa, told a joint news conference after the meeting.
They an**unced ** new eco**mic sanctions on the Gulf state. Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt and Bahrain have previously issued a list of 13 demands for Qatar, which include curtailing its support for the Muslim Brotherhood, shutting down the Doha-based Al Jazeera channel, closing a Turkish military base and downgrading its relations with Gulf enemy Iran.
Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said
Qatar was **t serious in tackling the countries´ demands. "We are
ready to talk with
Qatar on the implementation of the demands, on the implementation of the principles, if
Qatar is serious, but it has been clear that it is **t," he said.
The
Four countries have also listed "six principles" they want
Qatar to adopt. The Saudi-led bloc cut ties with the Gulf state on June 5, accusing it of backing militant groups and cosying up to their arch-foe Iran, allegations Doha denies. —Reuters
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