Saudis tell Qatar to shut down al-Jazeera as part of deal to end blockade

Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states on Friday demanded the closure of broadcaster al-Jazeera, among other conditions, in return for the lifting of its trade and diplomatic sanctions.

The list of 13 demands, seen by Associated Press, also wants Qatar to close a Turkish-operated military base, hand over terror suspects and shut down diplomatic posts in Iran.

The embargo has been co-ordinated by the Saudis along with the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt. Qatar has been given 10 days to comply with the demands.

Turkey’s defence minister rejected suggestions that it should review its military base.

“The base in Qatar is both a Turkish base and one that will preserve the security of Qatar and the region,” Defence Minister Fikri Işık told broadcaster NTV.

Pressure mounted on the Saudis and UAE earlier this week when the US State Department questioned the justification for the blockade.

“Now that it has been more than two weeks since the embargo started, we are mystified that the Gulf states have not released to the Qataris, nor to the public, the details about the claims they are making toward Qatar,” Heather Nauert, the state department spokeswoman said.

“The more that time goes by, the more doubt is raised about the actions taken by Saudi Arabia and the UAE,” she added.

“At this point, we are left with one simple question: were the actions really about their concerns regarding Qatar’s alleged support for terrorism? Or were they about the long-simmering grievances between and among the GCC [Gulf Cooperation Council] countries?”