A gas production facility in Ras Laffan, Qatar. The energy-rich Gulf nation plans to boost production of liquefied natural gas by 30 per cent over the coming years. Photo / AP
A gas production facility in Ras Laffan, Qatar. The energy-rich Gulf nation plans to boost production of liquefied natural gas by 30 per cent over the coming years. Photo / AP
Four Arab nations say they have received Qatar's response to their demands for ending a diplomatic crisis gripping the Persian Gulf, just before a planned meeting in Cairo.
Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates said today they would respond "in a timely manner".
The countries did notelaborate on what steps they could take, though credit rating agency Moody's warned it had changed Qatar's economic outlook to negative over the turmoil.
The countries cut ties to the FIFA 2022 World Cup host in early June over its alleged support for extremist groups and ties with Iran. Qatar denies supporting extremists and has defended its warm relations with Iran.
The nations issued a 13-point list of demands on June 22, giving Qatar 10 days to comply. They later extended the deadline to today at the request of Kuwait, which has acted as a mediator.
Foreign ministers from the four Arab countries will meet in Cairo later today to discuss their next move. Qatar has called the demands, which include shutting down its al-Jazeera satellite news network, expelling Turkish military forces based in the country and paying restitution, as an affront to its sovereignty.
Earlier, in a move that could affect Australia, Qatar announced plans for a steep rise in liquefied natural gas (LNG) production, suggesting it is ready for a protracted dispute with its Gulf neighbours.
State-owned Qatar Petroleum announced plans to raise LNG capacity by 30 per cent. The immediate effect of the increase will be to worsen a glut on the LNG market, where Australia, the US and Russia vie.
