Saudi, Bahrain, Egypt and UAE cut diplomatic ties with Qatar

MNA International Desk: Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates announced on Monday they were severing diplomatic ties with Qatar, as they accused the Gulf state of supporting 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 the ‘gross violations committed by authorities in Qatar over the past years’, the Saudi statement said, as the UAE made an announcement cutting ties.

Egypt’s foreign ministry also accused Doha of supporting ‘terrorism’ in a statement as it announced the severing of ties.