Qatar statement to GCC is 'funny': MP

CAIRO – 11 July 2017: Chairman of the National Defense and Security Committee of the Parliament, Kamal Amer described Qatar statement threatening with leaving the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) within three days if the Arab countries' policy with it continues, as 'funny.'

"It is a funny statement. Qatar is being used by other countries to achieve their own goals regarding weakening the Arabian situation and affecting its security and stability," Amer said in statements Tuesday.

Earlier on Monday, a leaked letter revealed that Qatar is ready to exit the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) within three days if the Arab countries' policy with it continues. The letter, which was labeled as secret and leaked to the media, was sent by Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the GCC Secretary General Abdullatif bin Rashid Al-Zayani on Thursday.

On Friday Egypt, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Bahrain said in a joint statement that the ultimatum that had been given to Qatar is now void, leading to further legal, political and economic measures against the government of Qatar.

“The Qatari government has purposely thwarted all diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis and has rejected any settlements, reflecting its intention to continue with its destabilizing policies against the interests of the Qatari people,” the Arab quartet said in the joint statement.

They also condemned Qatar’s “lack of tact and respect” towards the Kuwaiti mediation, as it leaked the list of demands in an attempt to condemn the initiative to failure.

Arab and Gulf countries, mainly Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt and Bahrain, severed their ties with Qatar on June 5, over accusations of supporting terrorist groups.

Kuwait tried to mediate a resumption of diplomatic and commercial ties between Qatar and several of its Arab neighbors.