(MENAFN- AzerNews) By Kamila Aliyeva
Analysts says it is still unclear how a 105 day-long crisis between Qatar and its Arab neighbors could be resolved as neither side appears willing to step back.
The most recent flare-up in a series of long-running tensions between Qatar and Saudi Arabia and the Gulf states keeps its urgency as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt have confirmed their demands for Doha for ending the crisis.
The foreign ministers of the Arab countries held a meeting on the margins of the UN General Assembly meeting in New York, where they reaffirmed the unity of their position vis-à-vis Qatar blockade, RIA Novosti reported on September 19.
"We have gathered to confirm our readiness for a political settlement of the crisis, in case Qatar promises to fulfill a list of 13 demands and six principles. We are striving for normalization of relations with Qatar," Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukri said.
He also noted that they strive to ensure that Qatar ceased to support and sponsor terrorism, as well as destabilize and interfere in the internal affairs of the four countries.
The four Arab states in June cut off diplomatic relations, severed air, land and sea links with Qatar, accusing the latter of supporting terrorism, and ordered Qatari citizens to leave their countries within two weeks. A number of other states joined the decision later. Doha refused the accusations.
In mid June, Saudi Arabia and its allies have issued a threatening 13-point ultimatum to Qatar as the price for lifting the trade and diplomatic embargoof the country.
The list of demands includes stipulations that Doha close the broadcaster al-Jazeera, drastically scale back cooperation with Iran, remove Turkish troops from Qatar's soil, end contact with groups such as the Muslim Brotherhood and submit to monthly external compliance checks.
Doha refused to fulfill the demands, naming them illegal.
Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to meet with Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thanion the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. The talks will focus on the relations between Doha and neighboring Arab states.
Earlier, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt and Bahrain issued a joint statement following the talks between the Emir of Kuwait and the U.S. president, where they noted that the only way to settle relations with Qatar is to fulfill Doha's 13 demands, including termination of terrorism funding and interfering in the affairs of others states.
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