Ties with Qatar would normalize only if Doha meets Quartet’s demands

Abdullah Al-Mouallimi, permanent representative of Saudi Arabia to the United Nations.
Abdullah Al-Mouallimi, permanent representative of Saudi Arabia to the United Nations.

Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states will restore diplomatic relations with Qatar if the latter agrees to the conditions; including ending the military presence of Turkey and downgrading its relations with Iran; according to Abdullah Al-Mouallimi, permanent representative of Saudi Arabia to the United Nations.

Speaking to BBC in an interview on Saturday; Al-Mouallimi stressed that the boycott of Qatar could continue for years if Doha does not change its stubborn position. He also said that the officials in Qatar are the ones who can decide on this.

Conditional restoration of relations

Al-Mouallimi said that the restoration of relations with Qatar is conditional on its response to the demands of the "Arab Quartet" countries such as Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt.

"If Qatar responds to their demands, then it is with great openness, the Arab Quartet will embrace Qatar and its people; who want to return to their normal place among the peoples of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)," he said.

In response to a question whether the Qatari leadership would respond favorably to these conditions; he replied that this is possible, and that is in the hands of the Qatari leadership.

"Saudi Arabia and its sister countries often express their opinion that there is a room for understanding with the Qatari brothers if they implement these demands on the ground.

"Qatar is a small country and it must adapt and harmonize to live in its Arab and Gulf surroundings. The dispute with Qatar could be overcome and its boycott could also be ended if Doha responds to all the legitimate demands made by the Quartet."

Al-Mouallimi explained that the demands include ending the Turkish military presence; downgrading the relationship with Iran; non-interference in the internal affairs of the GCC states; avoid incitement; and giving space to media platforms for agitators and opponents of Gulf states as well as for terrorists and their supporters.

According to Al-Mouallimi; Qatar's failure to respond to the Quartet's demands is nothing more than intransigence and narrow-mindedness. Besdies, its wrong view that it can achieve gains with external alliances than with their Gulf brothers.

"If Qatar responded to the conditions and implemented the demands; the four countries would embrace Qatar and the Qatari people," he added.

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