The Qatar crisis seems to prolong as the four Arab states leading the boycott jointly said that Doha’s refusal of their demands to resolve the Gulf diplomatic crisis is proof of its links to terror groups and that they would enact new measures against it.
They termed Qatar's rejection of a list of demands put forth by four Arab states, as "reflection of its intention to continue its policy, aimed at destabilising security in the region," according to a statement on the official SPA news agency.
Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Egypt, and Bahrain released a joint statement carried by the countries' state media saying their initial list of 13 demands was now void and pledging new political, economic and legal steps against Qatar.
The statement added, “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,” without elaborating on the potential measures.
It said, “The Qatari government sabotaged diplomatic efforts to solve the rift and its refusal 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 but not its people, they said, without elaborating on when the new steps would be announced or what they would entail.
The four states including Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt and Bahrain severed all diplomatic ties with Qatar on June 5 over allegations that emirate bankrolled Islamist extremists and had close ties with Saudi's arch-rival Iran.
On June 22, they issued a 13-point list of demands, including the shutdown of broadcast giant Al-Jazeera, as a prerequisite to lift the sanctions, which include the closure of Qatar's only land border and suspension of all flights to and from the country.