Saudi Bloc Slams Qatar But Stops Short of Imposing New Sanctions
- Alliance says it will meet again in Bahrain to weigh options
- Four nations say reserve right to take additional measures
Qatar Walks Tightrope Between Isolation and Sovereignty
The four-nation alliance that severed ties with Qatar rejected its response to their conditions for ending their monthlong showdown yet stopped short of announcing new penalties, a reflection of the constraints they face in trying to dictate changes to its foreign policy.
Doha’s response to the 13-point list of demands “evinced complacency” and failed to recognize the gravity of the situation, the alliance said Wednesday as the deadline it gave Qatar to comply with its demands expired. Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said the allies -- Saudi Arabia, Egypt, United Arab Emirates and Bahrain -- wouldn’t make “hasty” decisions and would continue strategy talks in Bahrain on an unspecified date.