Arab quartet to emerge stronger after Qatar crisis: Minister

CAIRO – 26 July 2017: Relations between Egypt, Bahrain, the UAE and Saudi Arabia will be much stronger as a result of their dispute with Qatar because they are working toward stability in the region, according to Emirati Foreign Minister Anwar Mohammed Qarqash.

Qarqash added in a series of tweets on Wednesday that the four states will represent a strong team working against terrorism. “The four states, emerging from this crisis, represent core policies for confronting extremism and terrorism and working for Arab security and stability,” Qarqash wrote.

“Barring Qatar's review of past policies, the current state will continue for a while. New regional relationships will emerge and strengthen,” he added.

A list of 13 demands was given to Doha’s government by Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain for reconciliation, includeing the closing of Al Jazeera broadcasting. However, Qatar’s response was described as “negative” by the four countries’ foreign ministers in a joint statement released July 5.

On Friday, July 7, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Bahrain said in another joint statement that the ultimatum given to Qatar was “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. Those actions reflect its intention to continue with its destabilizing policies against the interests of the Qatari people,” the Arab quartet said in the statement.

They also condemned Qatar’s lack of tact and respect towards Kuwaiti attempts at mediation.

“We have to go on without Qatar, a conservative Gulf monarchy in a totally anachronistic place,, promoting policies and values it does not practice,” Qarqash tweeted.