Bahrain Mirror: Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt announced in a joint statement issued early on Friday (September 8, 2017) that "military action has never been considered in the dispute with Qatar, nor will it be pondered."

The four countries, in their statement, said they "regret the Emir of Kuwait's statement about the success of the mediation in stopping the military option and emphasise that the military option was not and will not be on the table in any case."

They insisted there would be no dialogue with Qatar if prior conditions are set.

"Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt said that while they appreciate the mediation of His Highness the Emir of Kuwait and his commendable efforts in re-retaking the Qatari authorities to the right path as well as his statement about Qatar's willingness to recognise the 13 demands and its readiness to negotiate, they stress that the dialogue on the implementation of the demands should not be pre-conditioned," said the statement according to Bahrain News Agency (BNA).

The Quartet added that the preconditions set by the minister confirm Qatar's lack of seriousness about holding a dialogue, combating and putting an end to financing terrorism and interfering in the domestic affairs of other countries, they said.

The Quartet that broke off diplomatic and trade relations with Qatar on June 5 over its support for extremists and funding of terrorism made the assertion following a statement by Kuwait's Emir Shaikh Sabah Al Ahmad in Washington where he held a meeting with US President Donald Trump.

"I do believe we will solve it ...if we don't solve it, I will be a mediator right here in the White House" and "we will have something very quickly," said Trump standing alongside Sheikh Sabah after their meeting at the White House. "If I can help mediate between Qatar and, in particular, the UAE and Saudi Arabia, I would be willing to do so," he added.

Sheikh Sabah called Mr Trump a friend, and said: "I am optimistic of a resolution. The hope has not ended. Qatar is ready to discuss and fulfil demands and negotiate with us all. If we sit we will be able to resolve the 13 demands."

Shaikh Sabah was quoted as saying that "it is important that we succeeded in preventing any military action during the Gulf crisis."

The four countries, in their statement; however, said they "regret the Emir of Kuwait's statement about the success of the mediation in stopping the military option and emphasise that the military option was not and will not be on the table in any case."

While both sides in the dispute have ruled out the use of armed force, some ordinary Qataris have said they worry about the possibility of military action, given the ferocity of the criticism their country has received from media in the four Arab states.

"The crisis with Qatar is not a dispute confined to the Gulf, but in fact it extends to numerous Arab and Islamic countries that have declared their stance regarding Qatar's interference in domestic affairs and support for terrorism," the Quartet further noted.

"The crisis also extends to many other countries around the world that have been unable to declare their position because of Qatar's internal penetration in their societies, which made them concerned about possible consequences, especially that Qatar has precedents in supporting coups and in funding terrorism, extremist ideology and hate speech."

However, Qatari officials have repeatedly said the demands are so draconian that they suspect the four countries never seriously intended to negotiate them, and were instead seeing to hobble Doha's sovereignty. At the same time, they have said Qatar is interested in negotiating a fair and just solution to ‘any legitimate issues' of concern to fellow Gulf Cooperation Council member states.

Arabic Version