Saudi foreign minister rejects security pact proposed by Qatar

Saudi Arabia is not interested in being part of a European Union-style regional security alliance proposed by Qatar, foreign minister Adel Al-Jubeir said on Monday, cited by Reuters.

Qatari ruler Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani on Friday said that Middle Eastern countries should set aside their differences and forge an alliance similar to the European Union, in order to bolster regional security.

“We already have a structure in place,” Al-Jubeir said in Vienna, referring to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

“It is our hope that the Qataris will do the right thing and stop their support for terrorism... Should they do so, they will become a welcome member of the GCC and we can move forward to improve the security for all of us,” al-Jubeir said.

Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, and Bahrain officially cut ties with Qatar in June last year, accusing the Gulf nation of supporting terrorism and sectarian groups aiming to destabilize the region.

The Saudi-led group suspended trade and travel with Qatar, and expelled the country from the coalition fighting in Yemen.