Gulf states issue 13 demands to Qatar as rift continues

By
Miranda Wadham
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qatar

Saudi Arabia and its neighbouring Gulf States have given a list of demands to Qatar, saying they will lift the trade and diplomatic embargo if Qatar comply.

Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt sent the 13 wide-ranging demands to Qatar via Kuwait on Friday, giving them 10 days to comply. A trade and diplomatic embargo has been in place against Qatar for two weeks, with the Gulf countries accusing the Qatari government of aiding terrorism.

According to the Press Association, the demands in full are:

  1. Curb diplomatic ties with Iran
  2. Sever all ties to “terrorist organisations”
  3. Shut down al-Jazeera
  4. Shut down news outlets that Qatar funds
  5. Terminate immediately the Turkish military presence in Qatar
  6. Stop all means of funding for individuals, groups or organisations that have been designated as terrorists by Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt, Bahrain, the US
  7. Hand over “terrorist figures” and wanted individuals from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt and Bahrain to their countries of origin.
  8. End interference in sovereign countries’ internal affairs.
  9. Stop all contacts with the political opposition in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt and Bahrain.
  10. Pay reparations and compensation for loss of life and other, financial losses caused by Qatar’s policies in recent years.
  11. Consent to monthly audits for the first year after agreeing to the demands, then once per quarter during the second year.
  12. Align itself with the other Gulf and Arab countries militarily, politically, socially and economically.
  13. Agree to all the demands within 10 days.

The S&P ratings agency lowered Qatar’s credit rating at the end of June, in the wake of the bloccade. The credit rating was reduced to AA- from AA, after noting many uncertainties in the near future. The ratings agency also put the nation on a negative watch.

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Saudi Arabia has also banned Qatar Airways from operating in the country, with Saudi Arabia’s aviation authority withdrawing Qatar’s licence to land and fly in the country. It ordered the airline’s offices to to be closed within 48 hours.