Four Arab states that have isolated Qatar over alleged support for terrorism have sent Doha a list of 13 demands including closing Al Jazeera television and reducing ties to their regional adversary Iran, an official of one of the four countries said.
The demands aimed at ending the worst Gulf Arab crisis in ages appear designed to quash a two decade-old foreign policy in which Qatar has punched well above its weight, striding the stage as a peace broker, often in conflicts in Muslim lands.
Doha's independent-minded approach, including a dovish line on Iran and support for Islamist groups, in particular the Muslim Brotherhood, has angered some of its neighbors who see political Islamism as a threat to their dynastic rule.
The list, compiled by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Egypt and Bahrain, which cut economic, diplomatic and travel ties to Doha on June 5, also demands the closing of a Turkish military base in Qatar, as reported by Reuters news agency.
Some of the key demands include:
- Shut down the Al Jazeera media network and its affiliates.
- Halt the development of a Turkish military base in the country.
- Reduce diplomatic ties with Iran.
- Cut ties to terrorist organizations.
- Stop interfering in the four countries' affairs.
- Stop the practice of giving Qatari nationality to citizens of the four countries.
However, Turkey's Defense Minister Fikri Isik rejected the demand, saying any call for the base to be shut would represent interference in Ankara's relations with Doha. He suggested instead that Turkey might bolster its presence.
Recall that vigil360 reported that four Arab countries had severed ties with Doha in June 5 accusing it of supporting terrorism and destabilising the region, a claim Qatar rejected in the strongest possible terms.
The four countries have given Doha just 10 days to meet the demands, and say that the list will become void if it fails to do so.
