Arab countries to fine Qatar over terrorism losses: MPs

CAIRO – 4 July 2017: Ahmed Al-Awady, member in the Committee of Defense and National Security, told Egypt Today, that the demands of Arab countries to Qatar are escalating day by day, amid its rejection to limit its practices.

Regarding what Egypt can perform in this regard, he explained that there is a prominent role for Egypt in international forums to obtain huge financial compensation from Qatar for the victims and the losses that occurred on its land due to Qatar's support to extremist groups, and this will take place through coordination with a number of neighbor countries and Arab countries that have been affected by Qatar's support to terrorism as well.

Awady asserted that Egypt will demand huge financial compensation from Qatar for all what the terrorism has damaged in the country, and the parliament is aiming to study legalization on this regard.

Moreover, member Yehia El-Kedawny said that, “Qatar is still implementing a major plot against the Arab countries and the Islamic world that is ordered by foreign and external agendas to demolish the Arab region.’’

The parliamentarian explained that Qatar is still on its stance against the Arab countries and financing the terrorist group, “due to fear of the pressure that these groups would impose if Qatar stopped financing them.”

He further suggested economic escalation against Qatar, and to withdraw its membership from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the Arab League, as well as blocking Al Jazeera channels in many countries.

On Sunday, four Arab countries that included Egypt, KSA, UAE, and Bahrain have previously sent Qatar a list of 13 demands to be met by Monday in order to end the standoff.

However, later they agreed to extend the deadline for Qatar to reply to the demands, for 48 more hours, as a last chance.

The demands include shutting down Al Jazeera channels, and stopping funding terrorist groups, Closing Turkish military base under construction in Qatar and cutting ties with Iran.

On Saturday, Qatari foreign minister said that the 13 demands made to Qatar by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt, were designed to be rejected.

Previously, number of parliamentarians and experts expected that Qatar will not agree to the demands, urging that this would cause the Gulf nation to face further diplomatic and economic deterioration, and will continue terrorism threats on the region.