Qatar won't reciprocate over UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain's envoys recall

Qatar said it will not withdraw its envoys from UAE, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain despite differences in matters

The comments from Qatar came after the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain are withdrawing their ambassadors from Doha.

The move from the three countries comes after Doha did not implement an agreement among Gulf Arab countries not to interfere in each others' internal affairs.

According to Gulf News, the move is unprecedented in the three-decade history of the GCC - an alliance of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, UAE and Oman.

The three countries signed an agreement on November 23 that said GCC members will not back 'anyone threatening the security and stability of the GCC whether as groups or individuals - via direct security work or through political influence, and not to support hostile media,' the report said.

 

The nations have also asked Qatar 'not to support any party aiming to threaten security and stability of any GCC member'.

The statement stressed that despite the commitment of Qatar's emir Shaikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani to these principles in November, his country has failed to comply.

In a November meeting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia had asked Shaikh Tamim to change Qatar's ways and bring the country in line with the rest of the GCC with regards to regional issues.

The GCC has in particular been concerned about Qatar's support for the Muslim Brotherhood, its close relations with Turkey, its opposition to the new regime in Egypt and its perceived support for Al Houthi rebels in Yemen, the report said.

Shaikh Tamim reportedly signed a pledge to comply and asked for a six-month period to reorient his country, but failed.