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Dr Anwar Mohammad Gargash Image Credit: Supplied

Dubai: The anti-terrorism Quartet -- Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt -- are heading towards a long estrangement with Qatar, UAE State Minister for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash said.

“All the evidence before us point to this long break. Just like Qatar cries out about sovereign decisions, the four countries that are boycotting terrorism are exercising sovereign measures,” Gargash posted to his 437,000 followers on Twitter.

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“The four boycotting states have every right to protect themselves, shut their borders and protect their stability. They will keep up with their actions and strengthen their right to isolate conspiracies. Indeed, we are far from the political solution involving a change in Qatar's directions. In light of that, nothing will change and we must therefore look for a different format of relations.”

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The UAE official, who has had an outstandingly visible participation on Twitter since the standoff emerged in the public eye on June 5, said that the crisis would now head towards a low heat fire.

“I see the crisis in Qatar, and after the accompanying noise, moving to the stage of quiet fire as we realise, day after day, that the confusing and confused neighbour [Qatar] does not see the need to review its course of action.”

In the next phase, the Quartet and Qatar will be parting ways, he hinted.

“We are faced with sovereign choices that will be exercised by all parties according to their national interests, their trust in those around them and their reading of their surroundings. Maybe, this is the most appropriate move in light of the divergence in approaches and the mistrust.”

Gargash said that although parting would have drawbacks, the trade-off would be beneficial.

“Although we may lose the confusing and confused neighbour with its own social fabric, we will be gaining clarity and transparency. It is a wide world and we will be moving in it as a homogenous group.”

In his earlier tweets, Gargash referred to Qatar as the brother. However, following the latest developments, he started referring to the peninsular country as the “confusing and confused neighbour.”