Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to Egypt and its Permanent Representative to the Arab League, Ahmed Al-Qattan, told Al Arabiya News Channel Riyadh is not conspiring against a small country in size such as Qatar, which does not threaten the Kingdom, because of the differences in importance and history between the two countries.

Qattan further stressed that the path to Riyadh is shorter than those to Western countries, adding that the Qatari leadership has the contact numbers of both Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt cut diplomatic and economic relations with Qatar in June because of Doha’s support for terrorism and its involvement in the internal affairs of neighboring countries.

Qatar has refused to respond to 13 demands made by the four boycotting countries that would ensure Doha’s commitment to the security of its neighbors in the region.

Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani telephoned Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman last week, expressing his desire to sit at the negotiating table for dialogue on the said demands.

But Qatar News Agency distorted the contents of that telephone call, prompting Saudi Arabia to disrupt any dialogue until Doha clarifies its position with transparency.

Last Update: Wednesday, 20 May 2020 KSA 09:50 - GMT 06:50