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Bahrain FM: Suspension of Qatar’s Membership is Correct Step to Preserve GCC

Bahrain FM: Suspension of Qatar’s Membership is Correct Step to Preserve GCC

Monday, 30 October, 2017 - 09:00
Bahraini Foreign Minister Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed al-Khalifa in Manama, on November 9, 2014. (photo credit: AP/Hasan Jamali)

Bahrain's foreign minister on Monday suggested suspending Qatar's Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) membership until it accepts the demands of the Arab quartet.


"The correct step to preserve the GCC would be to freeze Qatar's membership until it sees reason and accepts the demands of our countries. If not, we will be fine with it leaving the GCC," Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed al-Khalifa said on his Twitter account.


The minister also said in another tweet that "if Qatar thinks that its current playing with time and evading will buy it time till the upcoming GCC summit, then it's mistaken. If the situation remained as it is we won't attend this summit."


Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt on June 5 severed ties with Qatar for supporting extremism and terrorist groups, and issued Doha with a list of demands.


"Bahrain will not attend a summit with Qatar, which becomes closer to Iran each day and brings foreign forces (to its soil), dangerous steps for the security of GCC countries," Sheikh Khalid said in another tweet.


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