DOHA: he four Arab countries that cut diplomatic ties with Qatar are understood to have dropped their list of 13 demands and proposed six principles with which they want Qatar to comply.
According to AP, Saudi Arabia’s United Nations (UN) ambassador, Abdallah Al Mouallimi, told a briefing for UN correspondents in New York on Tuesday that foreign ministers for Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt and Bahrain had agreed to the six principles at a meeting in Cairo on July 5. The principles reportedly include commitments to combat extremism and terrorism, prevent financing and safe havens for extremist groups, and suspend all acts of inciting hatred and/or violence.
Al Mouallimi was quoted as saying there would be “no compromise” when it comes to asking Qatar to accept the six principles – but that he thought it should be “easy” for the Qataris to accept them.
He stressed that implementation and monitoring must be “essential components” of any agreement to resolve the diplomatic crisis that began in early June. The allies broke off ties with Qatar largely over their allegations that it finances and supports terrorism, a charge that Qatar rejects.
The bloc initially made 13 demands, which Qatar dismissed. Among them were cutting ties with the Muslim Brotherhood, curbing relations with Iran, and shutting down the controversial Al Jazeera broadcast network.
Al Mouallimi reportedly said closing Al Jazeera might not be necessary, but that curbing incitement to violence and hatred was crucial.
“If the only way to achieve that is by closing down Al Jazeera, fine,” he was quoted as saying. “If we can achieve that without closing down Al Jazeera, that’s also fine. The important thing is the objective and the principle involved.”
