Doha blacklists Qatari, Egyptian, Saudi 'terrorists'

Qatar has blacklisted 20 people and eight organisations as "terrorist," nine months after finding itself isolated in the Gulf following a land, air and sea blockade imposed by Saudi Arabia and its allies.

The list, published by the interior ministry late on Wednesday, includes 12 Qatari nationals, two Saudis, four Egyptians and two Jordanians. 

The move comes nine months after Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Egypt cut diplomatic and trade ties with Qatar, accusing Doha of bankrolling Islamist extremists and fostering ties with Saudi arch-rival Iran. 

Qatar has denied the allegations and says the Saudi-led bloc aims to incite regime change in the emirate, the world's richest country per capita. 

Months ago, Saudi Arabia and its allies unveiled a "terrorist" list of 90 organisations and individuals in Qatar accused of ties to Islamist groups including al-Qaeda.

The new Qatari list overlaps significantly with that list.

Among the names now blacklisted by Doha is Qatari Abdulrahman al-Nuaimi, who in 2013 landed on the US list of Specially Designated Global Terrorists for "providing financial support" to al-Qaeda and its affiliates across Syria, Iraq, Yemen and Somalia. 

The Qatari list also includes the Islamic State group branch in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula, as well as a car rental company and tent and furniture stores. 

The decision to publish the list received a lukewarm welcome by the United Arab Emirates, which along with its allies has banned all Qataris from its territory.

"Pride aside, Qatar is confirming evidence against it and confirming that its support for extremism and terrorism is at the heart of the crisis," tweeted UAE state minister for foreign affairs Anwar Gargash.

The latest move comes amid reports that President Donald Trump is hoping to organise a summit of Arab Gulf leaders to resolve the ongoing blockade of Qatar.

The official, in remarks quoted by Reuters, said Trump had wanted Qatar and Gulf Cooperation Council members to settle their dispute on their own but is now much more concerned about the long-term impact in the region.

Counter-terrorism efforts

In January, Trump praised Doha for its counter-terrorism efforts and extremism in all its forms.

"The leaders discussed areas in which the United States and Qatar can partner to bring more stability to the region, counter malign Iranian influence, and defeat terrorism," the statement said.

Trump also "reiterated his support for a strong, united Gulf Cooperation Council that is focused on countering regional threats". 

After cutting off all ties with Qatar, Saudi Arabia and its allies imposed a land, sea and air blockade of the emirate and issued a list of 13 demands to have it lifted.

The list of demands included shutting down media outlets Al Jazeera and London-based The New Arab, curbing relations with Iran and closing a Turkish military base in the emirate.