Qatar slams ‘unrealistic’ demands as deadline looms

DOHA — Qatar said Tuesday that the demands made by Arab nations in a Gulf diplomatic crisis were impossible to meet, as a deadline was fast approaching for the emirate to respond.

Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman Al Thani told a press conference in Doha that the list of demands from countries isolating Qatar “is unrealistic and is not actionable”.

“It’s not about terrorism, it’s talking about shutting down the freedom of speech,” he said at a joint press conference after talks with German counterpart Sigmar Gabriel.

Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt — who accuse Qatar of supporting extremism — gave Doha an extra 48 hours to meet their demands after an initial 10-day deadline expired on Sunday.

The demands included Doha ending support for the Muslim Brotherhood, closing broadcaster Al Jazeera, downgrading diplomatic ties with Iran and shutting down a Turkish military base in the emirate.

Sheikh Mohammed handed an official response on Monday to Kuwait, which is mediating in the dispute, but its contents have not been disclosed.

He refused to give any further details on Tuesday, but said Doha was looking for a solution to the month-long crisis based on dialogue.

“The state of Qatar has adopted a very constructive attitude since the beginning of the crisis. We are tying to act mature and discuss the matter.”

 The four countries cut diplomatic and transport links with Qatar a month ago and have suggested further sanctions could be imposed if Doha does not comply.

Foreign ministers from the four countries are to meet in Egypt on Wednesday to discuss the diplomatic crisis, the worst to hit the region in years. 

Qatar, which denies any support for extremists, has said it will not bow to pressure and that the demands seem designed to be rejected.

The country is the world’s leading producer of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and on Tuesday the head of state-owned Qatar Petroleum said it was planning a significant production increase over the next several years.

Saad Sherida Al Kaabi told a press conference that the emirate intends to be producing 100 million tonnes of natural gas a year by 2024, up 30 percent from current levels.

“This new project will strengthen Qatar’s leading position,” Kaabi said. “We will remain the leader of LNG for a very long time.”

‘Absolutely no fear’ 

Some officials have suggested if Qatar does not cooperate with Riyadh and its allies could tell foreign companies to choose between doing business with them or with Doha.

Kaabi said Qatar wanted the production increase to be carried out through a joint venture with international companies but that Doha could go it alone if necessary.

“We have absolutely no fear of having the embargo in place,” he said. “If there are no companies willing to work with us we will go to 100 million (tonnes), 100 per cent.”

 Riyadh and its allies have also accused Doha of being too close to their regional arch-rival Iran, which shares an enormous gas field with Qatar in the Gulf.

The crisis has raised concerns of growing instability in the region, home to some of the world’s largest energy exporters and key Western allies who host US military bases.

Qatar’s gas riches have transformed it in recent years into one of the world’s wealthiest countries, a major international investor and a regional player that will host the 2022 football World Cup.

Qatar has also pursued a more independent foreign policy than many of its neighbours, who tend to follow the lead of regional powerhouse Saudi Arabia.

UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan said Tuesday it was “premature” to discuss what further action might be taken against Qatar.

Any measures that are taken will be “within the framework of international law,” Sheikh Abdullah said at a press conference in Abu Dhabi with Gabriel, who was on a regional tour.

“Any independent state has the right to take measures against any party,” Sheikh Abdullah said, urging Doha to listen to “the voice of reason and wisdom”.