Our stance regarding the 13-demands list is clear: FM

CAIRO – 3 July 2017: Foreign ministry spokesperson Ahmed Abu Zaid said Monday that the Egyptian stance regarding the Qatari dispute and the demands issued to Doha's government is "clear."

"We are in at a crossroad. Qatar has to make a choice and take a side between supporting the national security and weaken it," Abu Zaid said in statements to (Ala Mas'oliti) "on my responsibility" television talk show.

He added that Egypt has suffered many casualties and losses because Qatar continues interfering in its internal polices and issues. "We are waiting for the formal response regarding the 13 demands list," he said.

On Sunday, Qatari Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani said that he will hand Kuwaiti Emir Sabah bin Ahmed Al-Sabah Doha’s response to the Arab countries’ demands within hours.

From his side, Sheikh Sabah asked the 4 countries to extend the deadline given to Doha more 48 hours, which was approved by the governments of Egypt, Bahrain, UAE and Saudi Arabia shortly later.

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 Hammad Al-Thani’s statements regarding Gulf foreign policy with Iran, as “unwise.”

On June 5, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, Libya and Yemen decided to cut all diplomatic ties with Qatar, hurling allegations that the tiny state supports terrorism. Ports and airspace were cut off to Qatari vessels.

On June 6, Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Sabah Ahmad Al-Sabah started a tour that included Saudi Arabia, UAE and Qatar in an attempt to mediate between the three countries.