Qatar condemns Saudi refusal to negotiate over demands

Qatar's foreign minister has condemned its Gulf neighbours for refusing to negotiate over their demands for restoring air, sea and land links.

Sheikh Mohammed Al Thani said the stance was "contrary to the principles" of international relations.
Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt accuse Qatar of aiding terrorism - a charge it denies.
It has been presented with a list of demands that the Saudi foreign minister on Tuesday called "non-negotiable".
The restrictions have caused turmoil in Qatar, an oil- and gas-rich nation that is dependent on imports
to meet the basic needs of its population of 2.7 million.
On Friday, the four Arab states handed Qatar a 13-point list of demands to end the crisis that included shutting down the Al Jazeera news network, closing a Turkish military base, cutting ties with the Muslim Brotherhood, and reducing ties with Iran.
US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, who has sought to resolve the crisis, acknowledged that some elements would "be very difficult for Qatar to meet", but that there were "significant areas which provide a basis for ongoing dialogue".
But after holding talks with Mr Tillerson in Washington on Tuesday, Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir was asked by journalists if the demands were non-negotiable. He replied: "Yes."
"It's very simple. We made our point. We took our steps and it's up to the Qataris to amend their behaviour. Once they do, things will be worked out. But if they don't, they will remain isolated," he said. "If Qatar wants to come back into the [Gulf Co-operation Council] pool, they know what they have to do."