Riyadh is suspending all communication with Doha after Qatari media allegedly misreported the contents of the first phone talks on the crisis between the two Arab states, Saudi state media said. It comes after Donald Trump called on Gulf countries to unite against Iran.
On Friday, the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani contacted Saudi Arabia’s defense minister Mohammed bin Salman, recently elevated to the rank of a crown prince, by phone to discuss the list of demands issued to Doha by four Arab countries, including Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain and Egypt want Qatar to comply with the ultimatum if it wants an end to the ongoing economic and travel blockade.
Initial reports said al-Thani expressed his willingness to enter into negotiations with the quartet.
However, Saudi state agency SPA soon broke news that Riyadh was suspending any dialogue and communication with Qatar and accused the Qatar News Agency (QNA) of “distorting facts” while reporting on the phone conversation.
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