Demands made of Qatar by four other Arab states were designed to be rejected, Doha’s foreign minister said, explaining that their ultimatum was aimed not at defeating terrorism but at curtailing his country’s sovereignty.

In spite of this assessment of the oppontents position Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, speaking to reporters in Rome, ensured Qatar was ready to  discuss the grievances raised by its Arab neighbours.

“This list of demands is made to be rejected. It’s not meant to be accepted or … to be negotiated,” Sheikh Mohammed said, underlinging that Qatar is willing to engage in further dialogue given “the proper conditions”.