DUBAI – Four Arab countries isolating Qatar vowed Friday to take additional steps against the energy rich Gulf state after it refused to accept their demands over allegations that it supports extremist ideology.
Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Bahrain accused Qatar in a joint statement carried on Gulf state media of thwarting all efforts aimed at resolving the rift and said it intends to “continue its policy aimed at destabilizing security of the region.”
They vowed to “take all necessary political, economic and legal measures” against Qatar in a “timely manner.” They did not specify what those steps could include, though officials have previously suggested they could intensify efforts to isolate Qatar economically.
The four countries cut diplomatic ties and severed air, land and sea links with World Cup 2022 host Qatar early last month. They later issued a 10-day ultimatum to a 13-point list of demands that included cutting ties with terrorist groups, curbing relations with Iran and shutting media outlets, including the Al-Jazeera TV network.
Foreign Minister @MBA_AlThani_ to BBC: #Qatar supports governments and countries not parties or factions.#MOFA pic.twitter.com/yNh7KglI8q
— MOFA – Qatar (@MofaQatar_EN) 7 de julio de 2017
Qatar issued its response to the ultimatum in a hand-written letter from 37-year-old Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani that was delivered earlier this week to Kuwait, which is mediating the crisis.
The contents of the letter have not been disclosed, but the anti-Qatar bloc described it as “negative” and failing to appreciate the gravity of the situation.
Qatar has strenuously denied that it supports extremist groups. It is refusing to shutter Al-Jazeera, one of its best-known brands, and sees the ultimatum as an affront to its sovereignty.
To those who demand that Al Jazeera be shut down. We too have demands. #DemandPressFreedom #JournalismIsNotACrime pic.twitter.com/9eFFhYhewC
— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) 3 de julio de 2017
In a statement attributed to an unnamed senior foreign ministry official released later Friday, Qatar called allegations made by the quartet against it false and tantamount to “defamation in contradiction with the established foundations of international relations.”
It said its position on terrorism “is consistent and known for its rejection and condemnation of all forms of terrorism whatever the causes and motives are.” It went on to say that Qatar “is an active member committed to international conventions in combating terrorism and its financing at the regional and international levels.”
The official said Qatar is willing to cooperate with mediation efforts “and review all claims that do not contradict with the sovereignty of the State of Qatar.”
Several countries, including the United States, have urged the Arab states to resolve their differences. Washington counts all five countries as important Mideast allies, and stations some 10,000 troops at a sprawling air base in Qatar that is vital for the campaign against the Islamic State group.
The U.S. State Department said Thursday that Secretary of State Rex Tillerson will travel to the region to try to mediate a solution to the conflict. He is expected to visit Kuwait on Monday, leaving open the possibility he may shuttle among the various countries involved.
Today, @POTUS Trump spoke with President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi of Egypt to discuss Qatar, #DPRK. https://t.co/OF2LZNYtw1
— Department of State (@StateDept) 6 de julio de 2017
State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said Washington is growing “increasingly concerned that that dispute is at an impasse” and could drag on for weeks or months.
Germany, meanwhile, has said its intelligence service will play a role in clearing up accusations that Qatar supports terrorist groups. Its foreign minister, Sigmar Gabriel, this week visited Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Kuwait, the mediator in the feud.
On Friday, British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson landed in Saudi Arabia in what his office said was the first in a series of Gulf meetings aimed at resolving the crisis. He is expected to visit Qatar and Kuwait during his trip.
ADAM SCHRECK
