Qatar says that it will not be suspended from the GCC, says the country’s foreign minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani.

Speaking at an event in London on 5 July, the foreign minister told the audience that “there is not consensus for it [Qatar suspension].”

Sheikh Mohamed’s remarks were made as ministers from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bahrain and the UAE, the four countries which in June severed diplatic and transport ties with Qatar, met in Cairo.

“We don’t know what they are going to come out with in Cairo. We did our part and submitted our responses out of respect to the emir of Kuwait although they are considered disrespectful for any country,” said Al-Thani.

“They are the aggressors, they shouldn’t expect from me the first step. Whatever measures they are going to take, there is international law that they must respect,” the foreign minister added.

Qatar has previously denied accusations from the Saudi-led bloc that it funds terrorism, but has continued to call for a dialogue to end the crisis.

Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt extended the deadline for Qatar to comply with a list of demands by 48 hours on 3 July. The initial deadline to accept the list of demands expired at midnight on 2 July.

Saudi Arabia and the UAE have previously said that if Qatar fails to comply with the list of demands, which include the shutting down of the state-owned Aljazeera news network, it will face further sanctions.

Regarding additional sanctions, Al-Thani told the London audience: “we have developed different alternatives and way to ensure the supply chain for the country is not cut off. As a country we have to rely on ourselves.”