Outcome of Gulf split still uncertain

BAHRAIN, EGYPT, SAUDI ARABIA AND THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES are reportedly considering ratcheting up the economic sanctions they have imposed on Qatar and suspending it from the Gulf Cooperation Council. Beijing News commented on Wednesday:

The ongoing Gulf row seems to be going too far. On Monday, after an earlier 10-day deadline expired, Saudi Arabia and its allies gave Qatar an extra two days to accept their ultimatum for restoring relations.

However, Doha is not likely to make full concessions to their demands, which include closing its broadcaster Al Jazeera and cutting diplomatic ties with Iran.