Saudi, Bahrain, Egypt, Yemen, Libya, Maldives cut ties with Qatar

cite grave violations being committed by Doha

JEDDAH 6 June 2017: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has announced that it is to sever diplomatic and consular relations with Qatar.

The Saudi Press Agency (SPA) carried by Wam, quoted an official source as saying that the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, exercising its sovereign rights guaranteed by international law and in protecting its national security from the dangers of terrorism and extremism, has decided to sever diplomatic and consular relations with the State of Qatar, close all land, sea and air ports, prevent crossing into Saudi territories, airspace and territorial waters, for reasons relating to Saudi national security.

According to SPA, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has taken this decisive decision as a result of grave violations being committed by the authorities in Doha over the past years, in secret and public, aimed at dividing internal Saudi ranks, instigating against the State, infringing on its sovereignty, adopting various terrorist and sectarian groups aimed at destabilising the region including the Muslim Brotherhood Group, Daesh, and Al Qaeda, promoting the ethics and plans of these groups through its media permanently, supporting the activities of Iranian-backed terrorist groups in the governorate of Qatif of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Kingdom of Bahrain, financing, adopting and sheltering extremists who seek to undermine the stability and unity of the homeland at home and abroad, and using the media that seek to fuel the strife internally, and it was clear to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia the support and backing from the authorities in Doha for coup Al-Houthi militias even after the announcement of the Coalition to Support the Legitimacy in Yemen.

The Kingdom has also taken this decision in solidarity with the Kingdom of Bahrain being subjected to terrorist campaigns and operations supported by the authorities in Doha.

Since 1995, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its brothers have made strenuous and continued efforts to urge the authorities in Doha to abide by its commitments and agreements, yet, they have repeatedly violated their international obligations and the agreements they signed under the umbrella of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) for Arab States to cease the hostilities against the Kingdom and stand against terrorist groups and activities of which the latest one was their failure to implement the Riyadh Agreement.

In accordance with the decision to cut off diplomatic and consular relations, Saudi citizens are prohibited from traveling to Qatar, residing in or passing through it while they, residents and visitors, have to leave its territories within 14 days.

The decision, for security reasons, unfortunately prevents Qatari citizens’ entry to or transit through the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and those Qatari residents and visitors have to leave Saudi territories within 14 days, confirming the Kingdom’s commitment and keenness to provide all facilities and services for Qatari pilgrims and Umrah performers.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia affirms that it has long been patient despite the fact that the authorities in Doha continue to evade their commitments and conspire against it in the interest of the Qatari people, which is a natural and genuine extension of their brethren in the Kingdom and an integral part of their pillars. The Kingdom will continue to support the people of Qatar, its security and stability regardless of the hostile practices being carried out by the authorities in Doha.

Bahrain severs relations with Qatar

MANAMA: Based on the insistence of the State of Qatar to continue to undermine the security and stability of the Kingdom of Bahrain and to interfere in its domestic affairs, as well as on the escalation and incitement of its media and its support of acts of terror, and its financing of armed groups associated with Iran to carry out subversive attacks and spread chaos in the Kingdom in flagrant violation of all agreements, covenants and principles of international law without any regard to values, law, morals or consideration of the principles of good neighbourliness or pledge to the premises of Gulf relations, and the denial of previous commitments, the Kingdom of Bahrain has announced the severing of its diplomatic relations with the State of Qatar in order to preserve its national security.

According to Bahrain News Agency, BNA, the Kingdom is also withdrawing its diplomatic mission from Doha and giving all members of the Qatari diplomatic mission 48 hours to leave the Kingdom and the completion of the necessary procedures.

A statement on the BNA web-site went on to say, “Bahrain is also closing its airspace, ports and territorial waters to air traffic and shipping to and from Qatar within 24 hours of the announcement of the statement.

“The Government of the Kingdom of Bahrain is banning its citizens from traveling to Qatar or staying there. It regrets that Qatari citizens are not allowed to enter or transit through Bahrain.

“Qatari residents and visitors are therefore given 14 days to leave the Kingdom in order to avoid any hostile attempts or activities that may exploit the situation, despite our pride and confidence in our brethren among the Qatari people and their love for their second country.

“The dangerous Qatari practices have not been confined to the Kingdom of Bahrain, but have also been extended to sister countries that have been informed that such acts reflect a very dangerous pattern which cannot be ignored or accepted and must be addressed with full strength and firmness.”

The statement concluded, “While the Kingdom of Bahrain regrets this decision taken to protect its security and maintain its stability, it affirms its keenness on the brotherly people of Qatar who are aware of its suffering as they witness with each act of terror the fall of casualties among their brothers and sisters in Bahrain because their government continues to support terrorism at all levels and to attempt to bring down the legitimate regime in Bahrain.”

Egypt severs diplomatic relations with Qatar

CAIRO: The Egyptian government has decided to sever diplomatic relations with the State of Qatar in light of the insistence of the Qatari government to take an anti-Egyptian stance and the failure of all attempts to dissuade it from supporting terrorist organisations, especially the Muslim Brotherhood organisation and its leaders, who have been sentenced in the course of terrorist operations targeting the security and safety of Egypt.

The Middle East News Agency quoted a statement issued by the Egyptian Foreign Ministry as saying that the decision is the result of Qatar’s promotion of al-Qaeda and Daesh’s ideologies and supporting the terrorist operations in Sinai, as well as Qatar’s insistence on interfering in the internal affairs of Egypt and the countries of the region.

Qatar Ambassador to Egypt given 48 hour notice to leave 

CAIRO: Qatar’s ambassador to Egypt has been granted 48 hours to leave Egyptian territories following the Government of the Arab Republic of Egypt decision to sever diplomatic relations with the State of Qatar.

Ahmed Abu Zeid, spokesperson for the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said that the Ambassador of Qatar to Egypt, Saif Bin Muqaddam Al-Buainain, was summoned to the Ministry headquarters where he was informed of the Egyptian Government’s decision to sever ties with Qatar and was handed an official memorandum detailing the end of his accreditation as ambassador to the country with 48 hours to leave its territories.

Abu Zeid added that the Egyptian Charge d’affaires in Doha was also advised to return to Egypt within 48 hours.

Yemen supports Saudi-led Coalition’s decision to sever ties with Qatar

ADEN: The Yemeni government today announced its support for the steps taken by the leadership of the Coalition to Support the Legitimacy in Yemen in ending the participation of Qatari forces in the coalition, and severing diplomatic ties with the State of Qatar.

In a statement carried by Yemen’s official news agency, the Yemeni government said that it supports the coalition leadership’s decision to withdraw Qatari forces from the coalition as well as severing diplomatic relations with Qatar, after uncovering Qatar’s dealings with coup militias and its support of extremist groups in Yemen, “which contravenes the objectives agreed upon by states supporting the legitimate government in Yemen.”

It continued, “We are confident that our brothers, members of the coalition, will continue to exert all their efforts to achieve security and stability for the Yemeni people, support the legitimacy and restore the sovereignty of the Yemeni state from the coup, and continue fighting terrorism across all Yemeni territories.”

Libya cuts diplomatic links with Qatar

TRIPOLI: The Libyan government announced today its decision to sever diplomatic relations with the State of Qatar.

In a statement, Libyan Foreign Minister Mohammed al-Dairi said that his country has decided to cut its relations with Qatar in solidarity with its brothers in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt.

The Libyan minister added that Qatar’s record of repeated attacks on the dignity of the Libyan people following the events of the February 17th 2011 Revolution has angered a large segment of Libyan society.

OIC calls on Qatar to honor its commitments

JEDDAH: The Organization of Islamic Cooperation, OIC, has called upon the State of Qatar to honor its previous commitments and agreements signed within the Gulf Cooperation Council, particularly with regards to ceasing support for terrorist groups and their activities and ending media incitement.

OIC, in a statement Monday, said it has been following closely the current developments in the Gulf region, namely the severance of diplomatic relations with Qatar by a number of OIC member states following information and evidence of hostile acts emanating from Qatar.

The OIC underscored the need for all OIC member states, including Qatar, to adhere to the principles of the OIC Charter, which calls for adhering to the policy of good neighborliness, respect for the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Member States, and non-interference in their domestic affairs.

Maldives cuts diplomatic links with Qatar

MALE: The Republic of Maldives announced today its decision to sever diplomatic relations with the State of Qatar.

In a statement, the Maldives Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the country took this decision because of its firm opposition to activities that encourage terrorism and extremism.

The statement also reiterated the Maldive’s commitment to work with countries that promote peace, stability, and show solidarity in the fight against terrorism.

The Maldives decision comes following the announcement of the Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Egypt, Yemen and Libya to sever their relations with Qatar, banning their citizens to travel to Doha, and the closure of land, maritime and airspace borders to Qatari transport vehicles, aircraft and sea vessels.

By Eudore R Chand