This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/07/qatar-crisis-four-arab-states-vow-fresh-economic-and-political-sanctions
The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Qatar crisis: four Arab states vow fresh economic and political sanctions | Qatar crisis: four Arab states vow fresh economic and political sanctions |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The four Arab states leading the boycott against Qatar said late on Thursday that Doha’s refusal of their demands to resolve a Gulf diplomatic crisis was proof of its links to terrorist groups and that they would enact new measures against it. | The four Arab states leading the boycott against Qatar said late on Thursday that Doha’s refusal of their demands to resolve a Gulf diplomatic crisis was proof of its links to terrorist groups and that they would enact new measures against it. |
| Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Bahrain released a joint statement carried by their state media saying their initial list of 13 demands was now void and pledging new political, economic and legal steps against Qatar. | Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Bahrain released a joint statement carried by their state media saying their initial list of 13 demands was now void and pledging new political, economic and legal steps against Qatar. |
| Qatar’s stance “reflects its intention to continue its policy, aimed at destabilising security in the region,” their statement said. “All political, economic and legal measures will be taken in the manner and at the time deemed appropriate to preserve the four countries’ rights, security and stability.” | Qatar’s stance “reflects its intention to continue its policy, aimed at destabilising security in the region,” their statement said. “All political, economic and legal measures will be taken in the manner and at the time deemed appropriate to preserve the four countries’ rights, security and stability.” |
| The United States is increasingly concerned the rift is at an impasse and could drag on or intensify, the US State Department said on Thursday. The US secretary of state, Rex Tillerson, plans to visit Kuwait, which is mediating in the dispute, on Monday. | |
| US defence secretary Jim Mattis discussed “the importance of de-escalating tensions” in a phone call with Qatari defence minister Khalid al-Attiyah on Thursday. The two officials “affirmed the strategic security partnership” of their countries and Mattis emphasized the importance of Qatar’s contributions to the US-led coalition fighting Isis, the Pentagon said in a statement. | |
| However, the four Arab states said the Qatari government had stalled diplomatic efforts to solve the rift, and that its refusal of their demands affirmed its continuing sabotage of the region’s stability and security. | |
| Any measures taken by the four states would be aimed at the Qatari government rather than its people, they said, without elaborating on when the new steps would be announced or what they would entail. | Any measures taken by the four states would be aimed at the Qatari government rather than its people, they said, without elaborating on when the new steps would be announced or what they would entail. |
| Foreign ministers from the four states convened in Cairo the day after the expiry of a 10-day deadline for their demands to be met. They earlier condemned the tiny Gulf nation’s response as “negative” and lacking in content. | Foreign ministers from the four states convened in Cairo the day after the expiry of a 10-day deadline for their demands to be met. They earlier condemned the tiny Gulf nation’s response as “negative” and lacking in content. |
| Since last month, the countries have cut diplomatic and transport ties with Qatar, which they accuse of supporting terrorism and allying with regional foe Iran. Doha denies the charges. | Since last month, the countries have cut diplomatic and transport ties with Qatar, which they accuse of supporting terrorism and allying with regional foe Iran. Doha denies the charges. |
| Among their demands were orders for Qatar to curtail its support for the Muslim Brotherhood, shut down the pan-Arab al-Jazeera TV channel, close a Turkish military base in Doha and downgrade its ties with Iran. | Among their demands were orders for Qatar to curtail its support for the Muslim Brotherhood, shut down the pan-Arab al-Jazeera TV channel, close a Turkish military base in Doha and downgrade its ties with Iran. |