Saudi Led Bloc allows two more days for Qatar to bow to their demands

Cairo, July 3 (IANS): The Saudi Led Bloc of four countries has extended two more days for Qatar to stop itself from supporting terrorism and follow their ultimatum.

The ‘Grace Period’ was announced  through a joint statement issued by the four countries, Saudi Arabia, The United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain and Egypt on late Sunday. The previous deadline was July 4 which is now extended to 48 hours more at the request made by Kuwaiti emir Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Efe news reported.

The extension is based upon the Qatari Government's assertion that its under preparation to officially respond to the list of demands by monday, Saudi SPA news agency said.

The four nations led by Saudi Arabia had severed diplomatic and trade ties with Qatar, after accusing it of supporting terrorism and Iran.

The 13 points demands, includes the closure of the Media Channel Al-Jazeera TV, to cut diplomatic ties with Iran and also to shut down a Turkish Military base in the emirate.

Qatar had repeatedly denied all allegations, but indicated that they are open to conditional negotiations with Qatari Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani stating that his country refuses to negotiate the list of demands, adding that any discussion on them will have to be based on the principle that his country's sovereignty must be untouchable.