Arab states refrain from waging more crippling sanctions against Qatar

Thomson Reuters

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Four Arab states that cut ties with Qatar are refraining for now from imposing more punitive measures against the Gulf state.

The foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Bahrain met in Bahrain's capital, Manama, on Sunday to discuss the nearly eight-week-old crisis.

Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt and Bahrain cut diplomatic ties and transport links with Qatar in early June, accusing it of supporting extremists and interfering in the affairs of other Arab states. Qatar denies the charges and sees them as politically motivated.

The quartet's foreign ministers held a joint press conference in Manama saying the countries will continue to keep current measures against Qatar in place, but are open to dialogue with the Gulf state if it shows a willingness to change course.

"The four countries are ready for dialogue with Qatar with the condition that it announces its sincere willingness to stop funding terrorism and extremism and its commitment to not interfere in other countries' foreign affairs and respond to the 13 demands," Bahrain's foreign minister Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed al-Khalifa said on Sunday.

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