Four Arab states vow fresh economic and political sanctions against Qatar

The four Arab states leading the boycott against Qatar said late on Thursday that Doha’s refusal of their demands to resolve a Gulf diplomatic crisis was proof of its links to terrorist groups and that they would enact new measures against it.

Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Bahrain released a joint statement carried by their state media saying their initial list of 13 demands was now void and pledging new political, economic and legal steps against Qatar.

The bloc's demands to Qatar include shutting down the Al Jazeera channel and scaling down ties with Iran, as well as handing over individuals wanted for terrorism and aligning itself politically and economically to the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC).

The four countries severed ties with Qatar last month, accusing it of supporting terrorist groups. Qatar - who earlier this week rejected the ultimatum by the Saudi-led bloc - denies the allegations.

In Thursday's statement, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt and the UAE threatened new political and economic measures against the tiny Gulf kingdom, without providing any further details.

Qatar’s stance “reflects its intention to continue its policy, aimed at destabilising security in the region,” the statement by the four states said. “All political, economic and legal measures will be taken in the manner and at the time deemed appropriate to preserve the four countries’ rights, security and stability.”

Any measures taken by the four states would be aimed at the Qatari government rather than its people, they said.

Foreign ministers from the four states convened in Cairo the day after the expiry of a 10-day deadline for their demands to be met. They earlier condemned the tiny Gulf nation’s response as “negative” and lacking in content.

Qatari foreign minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani has described the cutting of ties with his country as "a siege that is a clear aggression and an insult".

"The answer to our disagreement is not blockades and ultimatums, it is dialogue and reason," he said earlier this week.

The small oil- and gas-rich nation is dependent on imports to meet the basic needs of its population of 2.7 million.

As its only land border is now closed, food is having to be shipped or flown in.

Thani said this could be sustained "indefinitely".