Middle East

Qatar’s Stock Market Falls as Neighbors’ Demands Unmet

FILE - Ambassador Ali Bin Fahad Al Hajri (center) Qatari Ambassador to the U.S., rings the New York Stock Exchange closing bell, as Qatari Ambassador to the U.N. Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser, gavels the market closed, Jan. 3, 2011. At left is Saif al-Mansoori, deputy CEO, Qatar Exchange.

DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATS — 

Qatar’s stock market fell sharply Sunday as a deadline for Doha to accept a series of political demands by four Arab states was expected to expire later in the day with no sign of a resolution.

The Qatari stock index sank as much as 3.1 percent in thin trading, bringing its losses to 11.9 percent since June 5, when Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt cut diplomatic and trade ties, accusing Doha of backing militants.

Stocks tumbled across the board Sunday, with 41 lower and only one higher. Qatar National Bank, the largest listed lender in the Gulf, lost 3.1 percent.