Tillerson Believes Some Arab States' Demands Are 'Difficult to Meet' for Qatar

© Sputnik / Valery Melnikov / Go to the mediabankCheckpoint on the closed border between Qatar and Saudi Arabia
Checkpoint on the closed border between Qatar and Saudi Arabia - Sputnik International
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Qatar is reviewing the requests of the Arab states following the diplomatic row in the region, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said Sunday, adding that the United States called for further consultations on the issue.

A view shows buildings in Doha, Qatar, June 9, 2017. - Sputnik International
Saudi-Led Ultimatum to Qatar Poses 'Risk of Serious Conflict' in the Gulf
MOSCOW (Sputnik) — On Friday, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt handed a 13-point ultimatum to Qatar. The list contains demands Doha needs to meet in order to restore ties with other Arab nations.

The ultimatum demands that Qatar, among other things, cut its ties with Iran, close a Turkish military base on its soil and shut down Al Jazeera and its affiliates. Other demands call on Doha to publically denounce relations with Islamist groups, end suspected financing of terrorism and hand over persons designated as terrorists by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt. Moreover, Qatar is demanded to pay financial compensation, although the sum was not reported.

"Qatar has begun its careful review and consideration of a series of requests presented by Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and UAE. While some of the elements will be very difficult for Qatar to meet, there are significant areas which provide a basis for ongoing dialogue leading to resolution," the statement read.

"A productive next step would be for each of the countries to sit together and continue this conversation. We believe our allies and partners are stronger when they are working together towards one goal which we all agree is stopping terrorism and countering extremism," Tillerson added.
The state secretary pointed out that each country involved could contribute to this goal and lowering rhetoric could ease the tension.

Tillerson called on the parties to the conflict "to continue this conversation," stressing that cooperation between the regional states contributed to their goal of combating terrorism.

A man walks on the corniche in Doha, Qatar, June 15, 2017 - Sputnik International
Why Qatar Unlikely to Bow to Saudi-Led Demand for Cutting Ties With Iran
On June 5, a number of countries, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt, cut diplomatic ties with Qatar and embargoed all sea, air and land traffic to the country, accusing Doha of supporting terrorist groups, particularly the Muslim Brotherhood terrorist movement, as well as of interfering in other countries' domestic affairs. Several other states in the region have reduced diplomatic relations with the country. Kuwait and Oman are the only members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) not to join the blockade.

The Qatari Foreign Ministry rejected the accusations of Doha's interference in other countries' domestic affairs and expressed regret over the decision of the Gulf States to cut off diplomatic ties with it.

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