Qatar risks further sanctions and deepening the crisis in the Gulf after missing a deadline to comply with demands set by Saudi Arabia and its regional allies.
However, Qatari foreign minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said the 13-point ultimatum was "made to be rejected".
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Speaking to reporters on Saturday, he said: "We believe that the world is governed by international laws that don't allow big countries to bully small countries.
"No one has the right to issue to a sovereign country an ultimatum."
Al Thani also said Qatar was "willing to engage in providing the proper condition for further dialogue", but his Saudi counterpart said the demands were non-negotiable.
"It's up to the Qataris to amend their behaviour and once they do, things will be worked out, but if they don't they will remain isolated," said Adel al-Jubeir, Al Jazeera reports.
Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates severed diplomatic and travel ties with Qatar last month, accusing it of supporting terrorism. Doha strongly denies the claims.
It is unclear what consequences Qatar will face if it misses tomorrow's deadline. "The four anti-Qatar states have only hinted at how they will respond if their ultimatum is spurned," says The Guardian.
"UAE diplomats have suggested either suspending Qatar from the Gulf Co-operation Council, the regional trading bloc, or seeking to impose sanctions on countries that continue to trade with Qatar."
-
Critics’ choice: Watering holes for gourmandsFeature An endless selection of Mexican spirits, a Dublin-inspired bar, and an upscale Baltimore pub
-
Argentinian beef is at the center of American farmers’ woesThe Explainer ‘It feels like a slap in the face to rural America,’ said one farmer
-
‘Businesses that lose money and are uncompetitive won’t survive’Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Sanae Takaichi: Japan’s Iron Lady set to be the country’s first woman prime ministerIn the Spotlight Takaichi is a member of Japan’s conservative, nationalist Liberal Democratic Party
-
Russia is ‘helping China’ prepare for an invasion of TaiwanIn the Spotlight Russia is reportedly allowing China access to military training
-
Interpol arrests hundreds in Africa-wide sextortion crackdownIN THE SPOTLIGHT A series of stings disrupts major cybercrime operations as law enforcement estimates millions in losses from schemes designed to prey on lonely users
-
Has Israel’s Qatar strike scuppered a ceasefire?Today’s Big Question Netanyahu ‘gambles’ on ‘overwhelming strength’ rather than diplomacy in attack on Hamas negotiation team in Doha
-
Israel targets Hamas leaders in Qatar airstrikeSpeed Read Hamas said five low-level leaders were killed in the attack
-
China is silently expanding its influence in American citiesUnder the Radar New York City and San Francisco, among others, have reportedly been targeted
-
How China uses 'dark fleets' to circumvent trade sanctionsThe Explainer The fleets are used to smuggle goods like oil and fish
-
One year after mass protests, why are Kenyans taking to the streets again?today's big question More than 60 protesters died during demonstrations in 2024
