DOHA, Qatar: The ratings agency Moody鈥檚 says it is changed its outlook on Qatar鈥檚 economy to negative, largely due to the ongoing diplomatic dispute now engulfing the tiny, energy-rich nation.
Moody鈥檚 said in a statement early Wednesday that 鈥渢he likelihood of a prolonged period of uncertainty extending into 2018 has increased and a quick resolution of the dispute is unlikely over the next few months.鈥�
Moody鈥檚 says that 鈥渃arries the risk that Qatar鈥檚 sovereign credit fundamentals could be negatively affected.鈥�
So far, Moody鈥檚 says Qatar鈥檚 exports of natural gas have yet to be affected. Those exports make the small country鈥檚 citizens have the biggest per capita incomes in the world.
Bahrain, Egypt, 黑料社区 and the United Arab Emirates cut diplomatic ties to Qatar last month in large part over their allegations that it supports extremist groups. Qatar denies backing extremists.
They later issued a 13-point list of demands to Qatar to end the standoff. Qatar submitted a written response to mediator Kuwait on Monday.
Energy-rich Qatar hosts some 10,000 American troops at its sprawling Al-Udeid Air Base.