Saudi asserts adherence to the 13 demands

CAIRO – 20 July 2017: In a reply to rumors spread on Wednesday about reducing Arab’s demands to end Qatar’s crisis, Saudi Arabia asserted Thursday morning in their newspapers that the four Arab countries still hold on to the 13 demands to end the crisis with Qatar.

The Saudi newspaper Al-Youm published a report named “Various Rounds to solve the Gulf Crisis," stating that in spite of the persistent trials of the United states, France and Germany to solve the Qatar’s crisis with Arab countries, Qatar still ignores the Arab demands carelessly.

The Saudi Al-Youm asserted that The four Arab countries still adhere to the thirteen demands to end the crisis with Qatar, pointing out that the international movement to end Qatar’s crisis should be concerned with persuading Doha to stop their funding of terrorism and to comply strictly with the Arab demands.

Another Saudi newspaper issued a report called ‘The Houthis and Qatar’s Game’ in which they referred to Qatar’s support to the Houthis militants in Yemen and Doha’s intervention in Yemen’s policy.

The Saudi newspaper stated that the Anti-terrorism countries are deeply disappointed by Qatar’s long history of funding terrorism, so Qatar has to answer the demands of the Arab countries.

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, describing it as “unwise.”

On June 5, 2017, several countries, including Egypt, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, severed diplomatic ties with Doha over accusations of Qatar backing and funding terrorist groups.

On June 23, 2017, the four Arab states boycotting Qatar sent Doha a list of 13 demands, including downgrading diplomatic ties with Iran and cutting off any joint military cooperation with it.