‘They are bullies’: Gulf crisis deepens after Qatar’s neighbours issue list of demands
If Qatar refuses to comply by the deadline, the Arab countries signalled, they’ll continue to restrict its access to land, sea and air routes indefinitely
Faced with a sweeping set of demands, Qatar has insisted it can indefinitely survive the economic and diplomatic steps its neighbours have taken to try to pressure it into compliance, even as a top Emirati official warned the tiny country to brace for a long-term economic squeeze.
“I can assure you that our situation today is very comfortable,” Qatari ambassador to the US Meshal bin Hamad Al Thani said. “Qatar could continue forever like that with no problems.”
I can assure you that our situation today is very comfortable. Qatar could continue forever like that with no problems
Asked whether Qatar felt pressure to resolve the crisis quickly, he said: “Not at all.”
As the US stepped back from any central mediating role, all sides seemed to be settling in for a potentially protracted crisis. Qatar’s neighbours insisted their 13-point list of demands was their bottom line, not a starting point for negotiations.
If Qatar refuses to comply by the deadline, the Arab countries signalled, they’ll continue to restrict its access to land, sea and air routes indefinitely, as economic pressure mounts on Qatar.
“The measures that have been taken are there to stay until there is a long-term solution to the issue,” Emirati Ambassador to the US Yousef al-Otaiba said.