Sunday, June 04, 2017

Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and UAE Cut Ties to Qatar
Ahram Online
Monday 5 Jun 2017

Several Arab Gulf countries and Egyptbroke diplomatic relations with Qatar, citing its "support of terrorism", the countries announced in the early hours of Monday.

Egypt announced the closure of its airspace and seaports for all Qatari transportation to protect its national security, the foreign ministry said in a statement.

Egypt accused the Gulf Arab state of supporting "terrorist" organisations including the Muslim Brotherhood, Egypt's state news agency reported.

Bahrain accused Qatar of backing terrorism and interfering in its internal affairs.

A brief statement on the official Bahrain news agency said Bahrain, a close ally of Saudi Arabia, was also cutting air and sea contact with Qatar and was giving its citizens in Qatar 14 days to leave.

Saudi Arabia said the move was necessary to protect the kingdom from what it described as terrorism and extremism.

The official state news agency, citing an official source, said Saudi Arabia had decided to sever diplomatic and consular relations with Qatar "proceeding from the exercise of its sovereign right guaranteed by international law and the protection of national security from the dangers of terrorism and extremism".

Saudi Arabia cut all land air and sea contacts with Qatar "and urges all brotherly countries and companies to do the same.

The United Arab Emirates cut ties and gave Qatari diplomats 48 hours to leave the country, citing their "support, funding and embrace of terrorist, extremist and sectarian organisations", state news agency WAM said.

http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/270238.aspx

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