(MENAFN- Gulf Times) Director of Qatar's Government Communications Office HE Sheikh Saif bin Ahmed al-Thani said yesterday that the countries imposing a siege on Qatar are looking to use the crisis to control the state's foreign policy decisions.
In an interview with AFP, the Qatari government official accused Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt of attempting to intervene in Qatar's foreign policy decisions.
He said that this was something that Doha will not accept.
HE Sheikh Saif added that one of the issues stalling a resolution to the crisis was a list announced by the four countries including individuals and entities which they accuse of terrorism.
The four countries also accuse Qatar of having ties with those mentioned on the list.
He stressed that Qatar was open to dialogue and negotiations on the condition of lifting the illegal siege as a first step.
Sheikh Saif said that 'this crisis was again triggered by them not by us and stressed that lifting the illegitimate siege was non-negotiable.
He maintained that Qatar had no issues with discussing all matters openly, so long as it does not infringe on the country's sovereignty and independence.
Sheikh Saif noted that the signing of a bilateral agreement by the United States and Qatar in mid-July to combat the financing of terrorism was the first of its kind between the two countries, placing new international standards for that co-operation in countering terrorism.
He highlighted the steps taking by Doha in that regard in the past in such fields as supporting educational projects around the world in order to create an environment hostile to extremist ideas.
In addition to the participation of Doha in the international coalition led by the United States against ISIS in Iraq and Syria.
The official highlighted the strong ties between the US and Qatar.
He noted that at the beginning of the crisis, it was possible to interpret the message sent from Washington as supportive of siege countries. However, the path taken by the US Ministry of Defence and the Department of State was more understanding of the crisis and set things straight.
Sheikh Saif stressed that Doha had proof that the UAE was behind the hacking of Qatar News Agency (QNA) and fabricating quotes and attributed them to His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, adding that the UAE was the number one country involved in this incident and is the first country that gained from it.
On demands to close Al Jazeera, he said that it was not a new request but maintained that Qatar would never consider it.
Arab states to meet in Bahrain today
Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt will meet in Manama today to discuss the latest developments on their blockade of Qatar, Egypt's foreign ministry said in Cairo yesterday.
The four states cut ties with Qatar early last month, accusing it of backing terrorist groups and maintaining ties with Iran. Doha denies the allegations. In the two-day meeting, the four countries will press Qatar to comply with their demands, which include stopping interference in their internal affairs, the statement said.
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