Saudi Arabia halts dialogue with Qatar

CAIRO – 9 September 2017: Saudi Arabia denied the news published by the Qatari News Agency (QNA) about a phone call between the two countries' leaders, claiming that Emir Tamim has agreed to send envoys for negotiations upon Saudi demands, according to an official at the Saudi Foreign Ministry.

The Saudi official said what was published is far from the truth and that it is deemed a continuation of facts misrepresentation practices by the Qatari authority. He added that this indicates that the Qatari authority did not realize that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will not tolerate how Qatar alters facts.

"The phone call was demanded by Qatar itself, however, this indicates Qatar's unseriousness to do the negotiations and is sticking to its previous practices," the Saudi official said. "Therefore, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will halt any negations with Qatar until the Qatari authority clarifies such practices and stands."

According to QNA, Crown Prince Mohammed received the call on Friday, a day after US President Donald Trump offered to mediate and help resolve the dispute, it was mentioned that the phone call was made based on Saudi Arabia's demand. Trump made the announcement in a joint press conference at the White House with Kuwaiti Emir Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah, who had been mediating between Qatar and the ATQ.

News outlets reported that the Saudi Crown Prince received a phone call on Friday from Tamim, who expressed his willingness to discuss the ATQ's demands.

A joint statement issued early on Friday by the Anti-Terrorism Quartet of Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain said there would be no dialogue with Qatar if prior conditions are set.

The four countries further stressed in their statement that no military action has ever been considered in the dispute with Qatar, nor will it be pondered.

“The statements by Qatar's foreign minister following those by the Emir of Kuwait, confirm Qatar's rejection of dialogue unless the boycott measures taken by the four countries to protect their interests legally and politically are lifted.”

The quartet added that the preconditions set by the minister confirm Qatar's lack of seriousness about holding a dialogue, combating and putting an end to financing terrorism and interfering in the domestic affairs of other countries, they said.

“We regret the Emir of Kuwait’s statement about the success of the mediation in stopping the military option and emphasize that the military option was not and will not be on the table in any case,” the quartet affirmed in their joint statement.

The ATQ have cut all diplomatic and transport ties with Qatar over accusations it was supporting terrorist groups. The four Arab states boycotting Qatar have sent Doha a list of 13 demands including closing the Al Jazeera network and reducing ties to their regional adversary Iran.