'Fallacies' in Qatar statement in UN: Arab states

Abu Dhabi - Our countries will continue to practice their sovereign right to boycott the government of Qatar, a statement said.

The UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Egypt affirmed that the speech made by the Qatari minister of foreign affairs at the High-level Segment of the 37th Session of the UN Human Rights Council contained many "fallacies".

The four countries used the right to reply following the Qatari statement at the meeting.

Obaid Salem Al Zaabi, Permanent Representative of the UAE to United Nations and other International Organisations in Geneva, delivered the following statement on behalf of the four countries.

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The permanent representatives of the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Egypt would like to use the right to reply to the speech made by the Qatari minister of foreign affairs to engage the esteemed Council in a diplomatic crisis which it ignited. The Qataris are trying to marketing the secondary crisis in the regional and international forums as a "major international crisis" that should draw the attention of the world community.

We view that this minor political crisis between our countries and Qatar should be solved within the context of ongoing mediation by the Emir of Kuwait, His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmed Al Jaber Al Sabah, whose mediation efforts have been receiving full support and appreciation from the leaders of our countries. We still believe this mediation is the optimum channel to tackle the causes of this political crisis and its consequences.

Mr. President of the Council, Our countries have replied to the report compiled by the UN Commission for Human rights on the invitation by Qatar and a detailed statement was presented to the UN Commission. Our countries expressed their point of view on the report through a joint press statement issued by the four boycotting countries. Qatar should choose either to be a state that believes in the principle of good neighbourliness and seeks to build positive relations with its neighbouring countries like other countries of the civilised world or continues to breach the international law and other regional and international conventions to counter terrorism, and funding and supporting terrorism. Qatar can not do this and take the opposite direction at the same time.

Mr. President, The four countries would like to confirm Qatar's role in supporting extremist and terrorist ideologies and spreading the message of hatred and incitement of violence through media platforms.

Our countries want Qatar to change its behaviour of supporting terrorist organisations and immediately end its funding of these organisations. Through this international platform, we ask Qatar not to make Doha a haven for individuals promoting terrorist acts.

Mr. President, Qatar which used to speak about respect for human rights and the right of people to self determination is also hosting leaders of the international organisation of the Muslim Brotherhood whom the world sees nothing from them but a dark thought that only produces terrorist organisations like Al Qaaed, the mother of a number of terrorist groups that are not less criminal than it including Daesh and Al Nusra Front.

Therefore, Our countries will continue to practice their sovereign right to boycott the government of Qatar - a right that is guaranteed by international law - in defence of any harm or deliberate act that targets our security and intervention in our internal affairs, and breach of the principle of good neighbourliness - an origin principle in international relations.

• Qatar Crisis