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Arab Foreign Ministers Meet, Say Ready for Qatar Dialogue with Conditions | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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Saudi Foreign Minister Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir speaks to media after the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt meeting to discuss their dispute with Qatar, in Manama, Bahrain July 30, 2017. REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed


The Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the UAE and Egypt on Sunday held a meeting in Bahrain’s capital, Manama, over the ongoing crisis with the gulf’s gas-rich peninsula, Qatar.

Unanimously, the quartet agreed to the need on Qatar halting all support and financing of terrorism, providing security for fugitive criminals.

All four countries, led by Saudi Arabia, have imposed a stringent diplomatic boycott in hopes of Qatar later steering clear from the detrimental foreign policy it has been advancing.

Qatar’s funding of terrorism and support for overall hate rhetoric had brought about major challenges to regional stability and security.

In a statement issued following their meeting today, the ministers expressed appreciation of Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa for the reception he held for them during which he briefed them on his wise vision that aim at achieving common Arab interests and keeping close solidarity among the four countries, reported the Saudi state-owned news agency SPA.

The Ministers reviewed the latest developments regarding Qatar crisis as well as the contacts they made regionally and internationally in this regard.

The four countries expressed their willingness to engage in a dialogue with Qatar, provided that Qatar declares its sincere and practical desire to stop supporting and financing terrorism and extremism, disseminating hate rhetoric and interfering in the affairs of other countries, as well as implementing established demands.

The ministers stressed the continued close coordination to enhance solidarity among the four countries, support Arab national security and eradicate terrorism in order to preserve regional and international peace and security.

The four countries reaffirmed the six principles that were announced during Cairo meeting, which represent the international consensus on fighting terrorism and extremism and their financing in addition to rejecting interference in the affairs of other countries that is contrary to international laws. They also stressed the importance of implementing Riyadh agreements (2013-2014) which have not yet been carried forth by Qatar.

The four countries also stressed that all procedures taken against Qatar are acts of sovereignty and in conformity with the international law.

The four countries appreciated the role played by Kuwait’s Emir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah to resolve Qatar crisis.

The four countries also denounced the deliberate act of Qatari authorities to obstruct the performance of Hajj rituals by Qatari nationals.

The ministers agreed on continuing consultation and coordination until the crisis is resolved.