Gulf crisis: Qatar terms Arab States’ allegation of financing terror 'baseless'


Cairo, Jul 8 (Reuters): Qatar on Friday dismissed as "baseless" accusations that it was financing terrorism, in its first public response to a statement from four Arab states leading a boycott against the tiny emirate.

The four - Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, and Bahrain - said in a joint statement late on Thursday that Doha's refusal to accept their demands to end the diplomatic standoff was proof of its links to terrorist groups.

In their statement, carried by their state media, the four said their initial list of 13 demands was now void and they pledged further political, economic and legal steps against Qatar.

In its first reaction to the statement by the four, Qatar dismissed as "baseless" the renewed accusations that it was interfering in the affairs of other states and financing terrorism.

"The State of Qatar's position on terrorism is consistent and known for its rejection and condemnation of all forms of terrorism, whatever the causes and motives," the state news agency said, quoting a senior foreign ministry source.

Qatar was ready to "cooperate and review all claims that do not contradict the sovereignty of the State of Qatar," it added.

Britain's foreign minister, Boris Johnson, arrived in Saudi Arabia on Friday to meet Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and the crown prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, in a bid to help ease tension in what has become the Gulf's deepest rift in years.

Johnson will also travel to Qatar and Kuwait for talks with senior figures from both countries, Britain's foreign office said in London. It did not give a specific date.

The four Arab states have cut diplomatic and transport ties with Qatar, which they also accuse of allying with their regional arch-foe Iran. Doha also denies that accusation.

Their original 13 demands presented to Qatar included shutting down the pan-Arab al-Jazeera TV channel and closing a Turkish military base in Doha.

Qatari officials have repeatedly said the 13 demands are so strict that they suspect the four countries never seriously intended to negotiate them, and were instead seeing to hobble Doha's sovereignty.

At the same time, they have said Qatar is interested in negotiating a fair and just solution to 'any legitimate issues' of concern to fellow GCC member states.

In their statement, the four Arab states said any additional measures would be aimed at the Qatari government but not its people, without elaborating on when the new steps would be announced or what they would entail.

Foreign ministers from the four states convened in Cairo on Wednesday after the expiry of a 10-day deadline for their demands to be met. They condemned the tiny Gulf nation's response as "negative" and lacking in content.

They have demanded that Qatar 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.

  

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Comment on this article

  • Ahmed K.C., Mangalore

    Sat, Jul 08 2017

    There will be gulf crisis of ever. You know why? read what Donald Trump said a year ago:-
    “We want to do safe zones in Syria. I will get the Gulf states, who are not doing much, believe me. The Gulf states have nothing but money. I’m going to get them to pay. We owe 19 trillion, we’re not paying for it. Don’t forget, without us, the Gulf states won’t exist,” he said.

    Until they are after the money and gasoline, the gulf states will have to suffer ONE by ONE on the pretext of this and on the pretext of that.

    DisAgree [8] Agree [10] Reply Report Abuse

  • David Pais, Mangalore

    Sat, Jul 08 2017

    @Ahmed K.C., Mangalore , usa don't reqrd.,gulf crude oil. they have enormous record crude oil in all da states to be explored.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [11] Reply Report Abuse

  • Ahmed K.C., Mangalore

    Sat, Jul 08 2017

    They will dig it out once gulf oil is gets over.

    DisAgree [4] Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse

  • NR, mangalore

    Sat, Jul 08 2017

    We came to gulf only for family food

    DisAgree [1] Agree [11] Reply Report Abuse

  • HENRY MISQUITH, Bahrain

    Sat, Jul 08 2017

    ....daily bread!!

    DisAgree Agree [13] Reply Report Abuse

  • Shankar, Mangalore

    Sat, Jul 08 2017

    ..and wine!

    DisAgree [9] Agree [9] Reply Report Abuse

  • David Pais, Mangalore

    Sat, Jul 08 2017

    @Shankar, Mangalore wine is better than baang.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [9] Report Abuse

  • Shankar, Mangalore

    Sat, Jul 08 2017

    Doha is the only place on earth where I have seen a glittering building with large nameboard saying , 'TALIBAN, headquarters'!!
    Of course I have not visited any part of Afghanistan or Pakistan.

    DisAgree [25] Agree [11] Reply Report Abuse

  • Shankar, Mangalore

    Sat, Jul 08 2017

    Those who have not visited Doha, keep on pressing disagree button!

    DisAgree [15] Agree [8] Reply Report Abuse

  • Shivanand, Udipi / Qatar

    Sat, Jul 08 2017

    Hi Shankar,
    I am in Qatar since 20 Years, Never seen or came across such Board as you claim, Can you please show me the Area / Photo of such Board? Don't spread fake news... We expats are happy in Qatar and Government is taking all sort of good steps to keep people safe.

    DisAgree [4] Agree [19] Reply Report Abuse

  • Shankar, Mangalore

    Sat, Jul 08 2017

    Shivanand,
    Being in Qatar, you should make efforts to know a little more about the city you live in, their culture, language etc.
    taliban had a political office in Doha as late as 2016. in 2012 or in 2013, they had opened an office in a very prominent area, I have seen it on the way to new Qatar national convention center from Intercontinental, Doha City. I have learned that after protest from Afghanistan, the name board was removed. and later that office was closed in 2013.
    Still they had a political office in Doha till 2016.

    DisAgree [6] Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse

  • Shivanand, Udipi / Qatar

    Sat, Jul 08 2017

    Shankar,,
    Very well known Qatari's Culture, Tradition and language so staying here since 20 or more years not like visitor as you. Taliban co ordination office was opened with permission from UN and monitored by UN to bring peace in troubled area and closed long back.

    DisAgree [7] Agree [6] Report Abuse


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Title: Gulf crisis: Qatar terms Arab States’ allegation of financing terror 'baseless'



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