Arab quartet meets in Riyadh to discuss regional developments

Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain and Egypt reaffirmed their position to combat terrorism in the region

Saudi Foreign Minister Jubeir attends a meeting of foreign ministers of member states of Coalition to Support Legitimacy in Yemen, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, January 22, 2018. REUTERS/Faisal Al Nasser

Saudi Arabia's foreign minister Adel Al Jubeir attends a meeting of member states fighting in the Arab coalition on behalf of the legitimate government of Yemen, in Riyadh, on January 22, 2018. Faisal Al Nasser / Reuters

The National

Jan 23, 2018

Foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain and Egypt convened late Monday in Riyadh to discuss regional developments.

“During the Arab quartet meeting, issues of common interest were discussed,” reported the state-run Saudi Press Agency.

“The ministers also discussed regional developments and stressed on their position to combat terrorism and extremism.”

Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain and Egypt have cut all ties with Qatar over its support of extremism and over its interference in the affairs of other countries.

The four Arab countries stand firm by their decision to boycott Qatar, saying they are willing to re-establish communications with Doha only if it adheres to regional and international agreements and the demands and principles they have issued.

Doha has so far refused to meet the quartet's 13 demands – including the closure of Qatar-owned Al Jazeera news channel, which the quartet says provides a platform for extremists and dissidents, and the shutting down of a permanent Turkish military base in the country.