Four Arab states sought to pile pressure on Qatar over charges it backs terrorism, saying the publication of a previously secret accord between Riyadh and Doha showed Qatar broke a promise not to meddle in the affairs of Gulf countries.
The text of the 2013 agreement, whose existence was known but whose contents have never before been made public, was first published by CNN on Monday and later released on social media by Saudi officials.
In a joint statement on Monday, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt said the publication of the accord, meant to settle a previous dispute between Qatar and its Gulf neighbors, "confirms beyond any doubt Qatar's failure to meet its commitments and its full violation of its pledges."
A branch of Qatar National Bank (QNB) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, June 5, 2017. /VCG Photo
A branch of Qatar National Bank (QNB) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, June 5, 2017. /VCG Photo
The four states slapped sanctions on Doha on June 5, accusing it of supporting terrorism, cozying up to Iran, backing the Muslim Brotherhood – the world's oldest Islamic organization, and interference in their affairs.
The four said Qatar has pledged to desist from interfering in its neighbors' politics in the 2013 agreement.
Qatar rejected the charges and said the four countries are trying to impose their own views on its foreign policies.
US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson shakes hands with Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman Al Thani prior to a scheduled meeting at the State Department in Washington, DC, US, June 27, 2017. /VCG Photo
US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson shakes hands with Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman Al Thani prior to a scheduled meeting at the State Department in Washington, DC, US, June 27, 2017. /VCG Photo
The document surfaced as US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson arrived in the region to help Washington's allies hammer out a way out of the crisis that has divided the region.
Qatar officials did not immediately respond to the request for comment, but in a statement to CNN, Qatar accused Saudi Arabia and the UAE of breaking the spirit of the Riyadh agreement and indulging in an "unprovoked attack on Qatar's sovereignty."
In response to CNN questions, a Qatari spokesman said in a statement that it was Saudi Arabia and the UAE who "have broken the spirit of the agreement."
(Source: Reuters)
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