The hours left for Qatar to formally respond to a list of demands are slowly dwindling.

The deadline comes after Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt accused them of supporting terrorism and issued a list of 13 demands.

They include scaling down ties with Iran, closing news network Al Jazeera and a Turkish military base in Qatar.

Defence lecturer at Kings College London David Roberts told Mike Hosking the extended deadline doesn't make any difference.

"I'm almost a bit surprised that they're going through the rigmarole of the 48 hours. I say that thinking that, based on what we've seen so far, there's not a slightest indication that the two sides are remotely near any sort of resolution."

Mr Roberts believes the issues surrounding Qatar and neighbouring gulf states could continue long after the 48-hour deadline.

He told Mike Hosking resolution is a long way off.

"I suspect in a year we'll still be having similar conversations. There'll be a stalemate going on for years, and I say that just because there is no evidence on which we can base a conclusion of this issue getting resolved any time soon."

LISTEN ABOVE AS DEFENCE LECTURER DAVID ROBERTS SPEAKS TO MIKE HOSKING