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Quartet: Qatar’s Response is Negative… its Destructive Role not Tolerated | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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The foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the UAE and Bahrain meet in Cairo on July 5, 2017 to discuss the diplomatic rift with Qatar. AFP


Cairo- The foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the UAE and Bahrain expressed on Wednesday regret over Qatar’s response to their demands to combat extremism and terrorism in all its forms.

In a joint statement issued following a meeting held on Wednesday in Cairo, the four foreign ministers said the response received by Qatar was “negative” and shows negligence, lack of seriousness in dealing with the roots of the problem and a “lack of understanding” of the gravity of the situation.

They added that it is no longer possible to tolerate the destructive role being played by Doha.

The ministers agreed to follow up on the issue and hold their next meeting in Manama.

Their joint statement also listed six principles needed to solve the crisis, adding that the demands proposed to Qatar came in this regard. 

For his part, Saudi Foreign Minister Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir said: “Turkey told us it will remain neutral from the crisis, and we hope they will stick to that position.”

At a press conference held following the meeting in Cairo, Jubeir said: “For any country dealing with Iran, the result is very negative.”

Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said the four countries reiterated the necessity to combat terrorism and to dry up its sources.

“There will be zero tolerance with any state sponsoring extremism and terrorism. There is no place for such states in the international community,” he said.

UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan regretted the fact that for the past two decades, Doha has taken the path of destruction and chaos.

Bahrain’s Foreign Minister Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa said: “Our role is to stand in the face of ISIS’ terrorism, as well as the terrorism that comes from Iran.”

Asked about the possibility of discontinuing Qatar’s membership in the Gulf Cooperation Council, Sheikh Khalid said: “This is for the GCC to discuss.”

Also on Wednesday, the White House announced that a telephone conversation was held between US President Donald Trump and his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fatah el-Sisi.

The White House said Trump reiterated the need for all countries “to stop terrorist financing and discredit extremist ideology.”