DUBIA/DOHA: The rift across Arab countries widened as those isolating Qatar tightened their squeeze by putting dozens of figures with links to the country on terrorism blacklists, as ally Turkey rushed to Qatar's side. Developments intensified a confrontation between the tiny-but-wealthy Qatar and a group of Arab nations led by Saudi Arabia and Egypt.
The world's richest country per capita, Qatar is accused of supporting militant Islamist movements across the region, by Riyadh, Cairo, and their allies. They have imposed what Qatar says is a blockade of shipping and air traffic, and closed Qatar's only land border. The country, however, denies all claims and said it is in fact, helping to reduce the threat of terrorism by backing groups that fight poverty and seek political reform.
Saudi, the UAE, Egypt, and Bahrain has added 59 people to terrorist blacklists, including 18 Qataris. Among them is former interior minister and a member of the nation's royal family, Abdullah bin Khalid Al Thani. Qatar said the move “reinforces baseless allegations that hold no foundation in fact. Our position on countering terrorism is stronger than many of the signatories of the joint statement- a fact that has been conveniently ignorer by the authors.”
Meanwhile, Iran sent four cargo planes of food and plans to provide 100 tonnes of fruit and vegetables every day, amid concerns of shortages after Arab countries cut off all ties with the import-dependent country. Shahrokh Noushabadi, head of public relations at Iran's national airline said, “Following sanctions... on Qatar, IranAir has so far transported food and vegetables to this country by four flights.”
Won't change foreign policy: Qatar
Qatar said fellow Arab states' move would endanger stability in the region but it was not ready to change its foreign policy to settle the dispute and would never compromise. Foreign minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani spoke as would be mediators ranging from US President Donald Trump to Kuwait's ruling emir struggled to ease a crisis that Qataris say has led to a blockade of their nation. “We have been isolated because we are successful and progressive. We are a platform for peace not terrorism ...This dispute is threatening the stability of the region,” Sheikh Mohammed said in Doha.
“We are not ready to surrender, and will never be ready to surrender, the independence of our foreign policy.” Sheikh Mohammed said Qatar had not yet been presented with a list of demands by countries that cut off diplomatic and transport links with it, but insisted the matter be solved peacefully. “There cannot ever be a military solution to this problem.”
Normally guarded about politics, Qataris expressed outrage. “It is a blockade! Like that of Berlin. A declaration of war. A political, economic and social aggression,” a Qatari diplomat said. “We need the world to condemn the aggressors.” Saudi Arabia's closure of Qatar's only land border sparked fears of major price hikes and food shortages.
