Anti-Qatar bloc threatens further steps against Gulf state

In this Feb. 18, 2011 file photo, senior Egyptian cleric Sheik Youssef el-Qardawi speaks to the crowd as he leads Friday prayers in Tahrir Square in Cairo, Egypt. A diplomatic standoff between Qatar and a quartet of Arab nations accusing it of sponsoring terrorism has thrust a spotlight on an opaque network of charities and prominent figures freely operating in Qatar, as well as individuals once embraced by leaders across the Gulf.

The four Arab countries isolating Qatar are vowing to take additional steps against the energy rich Gulf state after it refused to accept their demands over allegations that it supports extremist ideology.

Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Bahrain said in a statement carried early on Friday on the Emirati state news agency WAM that they will “take all necessary political, economic and legal measures” against Qatar in a “timely manner.” They did not specify what those steps could include.

The four countries cut diplomatic ties and severed air, land and sea links with World Cup 2022 host Qatar early last month. They later issued a 10-day ultimatum to a 13-point list of demands.

Qatar denies supporting extremism and sees the ultimatum as an affront to its sovereignty.