Qatari FM dismisses Manama’s statement

CAIRO – 31 July 2017: Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani dismissed the Arab Quartet’s statement issued in Manama on Sunday, claiming the four Arab countries’ decisions were violating international laws.

"There isn't a clear vision (from Manama's meeting), there is only a stubborn policy from the boycotting countries and refusal to admit that these are illegal actions," Doha-based Al Jazeera quoted Sheikh Mohammed on Sunday.

Saudi News Agency (SPA) said that a total of nine corridors had been defined to be used in emergency cases, one over the Mediterranean Sea under Egypt’s control and eight more in the Arab Gulf area, adding that the measure had been adopted under the auspices of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), which will respond to Qatar’s complaint at the Arab Quartet’s airspace ban over Qatari planes.

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 foreign ministers 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.