UAE Ambassador in Russia: New Sanctions Against Qatar Are on the Way

The United Arab Emirates ambassador to Russia announced that Arab countries are planning to impose new sanctions against Qatar. Omar Ghobash stated in an interview with the British newspaper 'The Guardian': 'These sanctions may include asking business partners to choose between Doha or the Arab countries.' The UAE ambassador emphasized that 'removing Qatar from the Gulf Cooperation Council is not the only sanction available to the UAE and its allies against this country,' adding: 'If Qatar does not accept our conditions, it is time for a 'goodbye to Qatar,' and we will announce that we no longer need you.' Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, and Egypt have cut all political and economic relations with Qatar since June 5, closing their maritime, air, and land borders with the country. This has led to a food crisis in Qatar, which is currently receiving food supplies from Iran and Turkey through special maritime and air routes. Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, and Egypt have also presented 13 conditions for resuming relations and ending sanctions against Qatar; proposals that Qatar has requested to negotiate but Saudi Arabia has rejected. The Qatari Foreign Minister condemned Saudi Arabia's refusal to negotiate regarding these 13 proposals as unacceptable. According to AFP, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani announced this position after his meeting on Tuesday with Rex Tillerson, the U.S. Secretary of State, in Washington. In statements released on Wednesday, he said: 'This is contrary to the principles governing international relations, as you cannot present a list of demands and refuse to negotiate.' Adel al-Jubeir, the Saudi Foreign Minister, who was also in Washington, reiterated Riyadh's position on Twitter, stating: 'Our demands from Qatar are non-negotiable. It is now Qatar's turn to stop supporting extremism and terrorism.' Among the demands of these countries are the closure of the Al Jazeera television network, severing political ties with Iran, expelling members of the Muslim Brotherhood, and shutting down the Turkish military base in Qatar. Qatar has responded that these conditions are 'unrealistic' and 'impractical,' but they are reviewing them and will respond officially. Meanwhile, the UAE has warned that Qatar must take these demands seriously or risk being isolated from its neighbors in the Gulf. In this context, Qatar condemned Saudi Arabia's proposal for negotiation, while the Saudi Foreign Minister stated that the list of demands from Qatar is non-negotiable. According to the U.S. Secretary of State, Qatar is reviewing the demands of the Arab countries. The UAE stated: 'We are not seeking a regime change in Qatar; we want a change in behavior.'