Four Arab FMs prepare for Qatar dispute summit

CAIRO – 5 July 2017: Emirati Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and Saudi Adel Al Jubeir have arrived Cairo in a quick visit,’ Wednesday morning as they are expected to join their Egyptian, Bahraini counterparts in Tahrir Palace to hold their scheduled discussions regarding the Qatari Dispute.

Bahraini Foreign Minister Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed al-Khalifa and Egyptian Sameh Shoukry arrived already in Tahrir palace headquarters waiting for Emirati Al-Nahyan and Saudi Al-Jubeir to join them.

Wednesday is the final day of the extended 48 hours deadline proposed by Kuwait’s Emir for Qatar to respond to the 13-demands list issued by Egypt, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

Earlier on Wednesday, the four countries issued a statement saying that they have officially received a response from Doha to their demands, and that they will issue their statement regarding the aforementioned response at the right time.

"We have received Qatar's reply to our demands through Kuwait before the deadline, and we will respond to Qatar's reply at the right time," said the joint statement.

According to the Egyptian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Ahmed Abu Zaid on July 2, the meeting expected to be held Wednesday and aims to follow up on the latest escalation of the current Qatari dispute, described as “the most complicated diplomatic crisis in the Middle East for many years.” Abu Zaid confirmed, “The meeting will discuss the governments’ vision regarding the current and the coming escalation.”

On Monday, Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah of Kuwaiti asked the four countries to extend the deadline given to Doha for 48 hours. The move was approved by the governments of Egypt, Bahrain, the UAE and Saudi Arabia shortly after.

Qatar’s relations with several Arab and Gulf States have been strained since May 24, when the Qatari state-run news agency reported Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani’s statements regarding Gulf foreign policy with Iran, as “unwise.”

On June 5, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, Libya and Yemen decided to cut all diplomatic ties with Qatar, hurling allegations that the state supports terrorism. Ports and airspace were cut off to Qatari vessels.

On June 6, Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Sabah started a tour that included Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar in an attempt to mediate between the three countries.