Arab quartet reinstates 13 demands for Qatar dialogue

The Saudi Arabia-led Arab alliance which severed diplomatic relations with Qatar has insisted that Doha must meet a list of 13 demands before talks to resolve the Gulf region crisis could start.

"We reiterate the importance of Qatar's compliance with the 13 demands outlined by the four states," said a joint statement released by the Foreign Ministers of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt after a meeting in Manama, Bahrain, Xinhua news agency reported.

"We are ready to have a dialogue, provided the 13 conditions are met by Qatar," said Bahrain's Foreign Minister Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa.

On Sunday, Qatar's Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation Authority denied a Saudi Press Agency's report that the Arab quartet had dedicated emergency air routes for Qatari aircraft.

Saudi media reports were spreading "false information", said the state-run Qatar News Agency.

The joint statement issued by the four Foreign Ministers also condemned Qatar's authorities for obstructing its citizens from performing Haj while Qatar accused Saudi Arabia of refusing to guarantee the safety of Qatari pilgrims.

The four countries cut off diplomatic and transport links with Qatar on June 5, accusing the Qatari government of supporting extremist groups, interfering in their internal affairs and seeking closer ties with Iran.

Qatar repeatedly denied the charges, citing it would not negotiate on issues related to its sovereignty.

On June 23, the four countries issued a list of 13 demands to end the rift with Doha. The demands included stopping Qatari terror financing and closing Al-Jazeera television.

Other demands included cutting off Qatar-Iran diplomatic ties, shutting down a Turkish military base in Qatar and handing over "terrorist figures" and "wanted individuals" to the four Arab countries.

Earlier this month, it appeared the nations had abandoned the 13-point list when diplomats told reporters at the United Nations they now wanted Qatar to accept "six broad principles".

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson flew to the region in July and presented proposals aimed at preparing both sides to hold direct talks.

During Tillerson's visit, Qatar and the US signed a deal on combating terrorism financing, one of the core demands of the Saudi-led alliance.

On July 21, in his first public speech since the crisis started, Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani called for holding talks to resolve the Gulf standoff, though emphasising that any talks should be in respect of its national sovereignty.

--IANS

soni/vt