What you need to know about Manama meeting?

CAIRO – 30 July 2017: Egypt, UAE, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia held a meeting on Sunday in Bahrain's Manama, where they affirmed they maintain firm hand regarding 13 demands to solve Qatar’s crisis.

The Bahraini Foreign Minister Khalid bin Ahmed al-Khalifa read a joint statement by the four Arab states ensuring they maintain urging Qatar to meet the six principles on combating extremism and terrorism that were agreed upon in Cairo two weeks ago.

The principles include: commitments to combat extremism and terrorism, prevent financing and safe havens for such groups, and suspend all acts of provocation and speeches inciting hatred or violence.

The four FMs further stressed that their demands are in accordance with international regulations, and the 2013 and 2014 Riyadh agreements.

“We are ready to engage in discussions with Qatar if it [Qatar] expresses its genuine willingness to implement our demands,” said Sheikh Khaled.


Bahraini Foreign Minister Khalid bin Ahmed al-Khalifa-Press photo

On Qatar’s claim that the kingdom is hampering Qataris who want to enter for pilgrimage, Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir denounced these claims stressing that all Muslims are welcome for pilgrimage and that Riyadh continues to facilitate their travel.

“The Kingdom’s history is clear in easing pilgrimage procedures and it does not accept politicizing pilgrimage,” Al-Jubeir added.

When asked about Iranian relations with Qatar, Al-Jubeir said any country that cooperates with Tehran “causes damage to itself.”


Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir- Press photo

On potential suspension of Qatar’s membership in the Gulf Cooperation Council, Bahrain’s Foreign Minister Shaikh Khalid Bin Ahmad Al Khalifa, expressed Quarter’s willingness to continue as operational and effective six countries in GCC, but still they will not allow Qatar to cause any harm in the council.

Sheikh Khaled said, “Qatar must stop funding terrorism, interfering in [other countries’] internal affairs, inciting hatred and adhere to regional and international agreements.”

“No negotiations will be conducted with Doha as long as it supports terrorism”, Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry stated at a joint press conference Sunday in Manama.


Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry- Press photo

The Emirati Minister Abdullah bin Zayed revealed that the Arabs’ crisis is only with Qatar’s regime "however we seek to avoid negative impacts on the Qatari people."


The Emirati Minister Abdullah bin Zayed- Press photo

This press conference is held after a brief meeting among the four foreign ministers of Egypt, KSA, UAE and Bahrain, during which they reviewed the updates of the crisis with Doha.