The Guardian quotes Ambassador Ghobash as saying that Arab states may ramp up economic pressure

  DUBAI – Four Arab states embroiled in a diplomatic dispute with Qatar because of Doha's support to terrorism are eyeing additional sanctions against the Gulf country if it is does not give in to demands to end the crisis. This was revealed by UAE Ambassador to Moscow Omar Ghobash in an interview with the British newspaper The Guardian. The UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Egypt had severed ties with Qatar for Doha's alleged support of extremism. The four Arab countries also cut air, land and sea links with Qatar as well as imposed a ban on Qatari nationals. Ghobash said in The Guardian interview: "There are certain economic sanctions we can take which are being considered right now. One possibility would be to impose conditions on our own trading partners and say you want to work with us then you have got to make a commercial choice." "If Qatar is not willing to accept the demands, it is a case of 'Goodbye Qatar' we do not need you in our tent anymore," he also reportedly said. Among the key demands set by the four Arab countries are: closure of Qatar's Al Jazeera news network and its affiliates; stopping the development of a Turkish base in Qatar; reducing diplomatic relations with Iran; cutting ties with extremist groups; stop interfering in the affairs of the four countries; and stop giving Qatari nationality to citizens of the four Arab states. The demands were set forth to Qatar last week and Doha was given 10 days to comply with them. Doha however said the demands violate international laws. Ghobash said the four Arab states are open to monitoring by the West with regard the implementation of sanctions on Qatar. "Yes we are making demands of Qatar but it is very important to realize that we are imposing the same standards on ourselves. So if we are to ask for the monitoring of Qatari financial transactions and its funding of terrorism then we would be open to the same idea. This is not bullying. This is demanding a higher standard throughout the whole region," said Ghobash. Meanwhile, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Mohammad Gargash urged Qatar to make a "wise and well-thought choice" before the lapse of the 10-day deadline to comply with the demands. 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