Saudi Arabia unrelenting on harsh demands against Qatar
Saudi Arabia remained adamant that its demands on Qatar were non-negotiable, as the US and Kuwait mediated talks between the various parties in ongoing Qatar crisis in Washington, DC. Qatar is facing a crippling trade and diplomatic embargo by its Gulf Arab neighbors. Saudi Arabia has listed 13 demands for Qatar, including the shutting down of Al Jazeera, to lift the embargo.
Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt cut diplomatic ties with Qatar
On June 5, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt severed diplomatic, land and air ties with Qatar accusing it of backing terrorist groups including ISIS, al-Qaeda and the Muslim Brotherhood. Egypt and Saudi Arabia further justified the move based on preventing threats to national security from extremism and terrorism. Abu Dhabi based Etihad Airlines also temporarily suspended its flights to Qatar.
Saudi Arabia says its demands are "non-negotiable"
"Our demands on Qatar are non-negotiable. It's now up to Qatar to end its support for extremism and terrorism," said Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said via Twitter.
Saudi Arabia's stance risks foiling talks to end crisis
The 10-day deadline for Qatar to meet Saudi Arabia's demands is looming and the crisis looks far from resolved. Kuwait is officially mediating the talks between Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Bahrain and Qatar. However Saudi Arabia's unyielding stance risk foiling any reconciliation efforts. Besides the closure of Al Jazeera, Riyadh has demanded that Qatar downgrade its ties with Iran and shutdown a Turkish military base.
US in uncomfortable position over closeness to Saudi and Qatar
The crisis has placed the US in a difficult position as it shares security and economic ties with both Qatar and Saudi Arabia. The US' largest military base in the Middle East is in Qatar. The US has said it may be difficult for Qatar to accept some of the demands. It has asked the Saudis to provide more "reasonable and actionable" demands.
