Saudi-led group unveils Qatar 'terror' blacklist
Saudi Arabia and its allies yesterday unveiled a "terrorist" blacklist of 18 organisations and individuals suspected of links with Islamist extremism that they said had ties with regional rival Qatar.
The move by the four Arab governments came despite mounting international pressure to compromise in their weeks-old boycott of their fellow US ally.
Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt last month released a list of 59 people and 12 groups they alleged had links to Qatar, accused by the four states of ties to extremist groups in the region.
Qatar has denied the allegations. Yesterday's list blacklisted nine charity and media organisations and nine individuals "directly or indirectly linked to Qatari authorities" as "terrorist", read a joint statement released by the four states.
"We expect Qatari authorities to take the next step and prosecute the terrorist groups and people," the statement said.
On Monday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said his visit to the Gulf region made a contribution to easing the crisis surrounding Ankara's ally Qatar, but indicated that more time was needed to end the standoff.
"I think that our visit and contacts (in the region) have been an important step on the way to rebuilding stability and mutual confidence," he told reporters at Ankara airport after returning from Qatar.
Meanwhile, Egypt warned the EU yesterday that four Arab states would accept no compromise in their dispute with Qatar over allegations that the gas-rich emirate supports terrorism.
Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, speaking after talks with European Union diplomatic chief Federica Mogherini in Brussels, said Qatar must accept in full the demands by Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates.
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