Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates have announced on Monday they were severing diplomatic ties with Qatar, as tensions escalate in the region over accusations Doha sponsors terrorism. Saudi news agency SPA said Riyadh cut diplomatic ties and closed borders with its neighbour to “protect its national security from the dangers of terrorism and extremism”. A Saudi official cited by SPA said the country decided to “sever diplomatic and consular ties with Qatar, and to close all land, sea and aviation ports”. The “decisive” measure was due to “gross violations committed by authorities in Qatar over the past years”, the Saudi statement said. The UAE followed suit in cutting ties, and Egypt’s foreign ministry also accused Doha of supporting “terrorism” as it announced the severing of diplomatic relations.

Source: Dhaka Tribune June 05, 2017 04:18 UTC