Mauritania breaks diplomatic ties with Qatar, Gabon voices condemnation

Published June 7, 2017
Mauritania’s President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz.—Reuters/File
Mauritania’s President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz.—Reuters/File

The West African country of Mauritania, a member of the Arab League, severed ties with Qatar on Tuesday over allegations it “supports terrorists”, the state news agency reported, and OPEC member Gabon also condemned the small Gulf Arab state.

The Arab world's biggest powers, including Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, cut diplomatic relations with Qatar on Monday, accusing it of supporting militants and Iran. Qatar vehemently denies the claims.

“The state of Qatar has linked its policies ... in support of terrorist organisations and the propagation of extremist ideas,” the Mauritanian ministry of foreign affairs said in a statement published in Arabic by the Mauritanian Information Agency.

“This has resulted in heavy losses to human life in these Arab countries, in Europe and throughout the world,” it said.

Oil producer Gabon condemned Qatar for “failing to respect international commitments and agreements on counterterrorism,” a statement from its foreign ministry said.

The Central African nation was “preoccupied with Qatar's continuing support for terrorist groups”, it said.

Opinion

Editorial

Smog hazard
Updated 05 Nov, 2024

Smog hazard

The catastrophe unfolding in Lahore is a product of authorities’ repeated failure to recognise environmental impact of rapid urbanisation.
Monetary policy
05 Nov, 2024

Monetary policy

IN an aggressive move, the State Bank on Monday reduced its key policy rate by a hefty 250bps to 15pc. This is the...
Cultural power
05 Nov, 2024

Cultural power

AS vital modes of communication, art and culture have the power to overcome social and international barriers....
Disregarding CCI
Updated 04 Nov, 2024

Disregarding CCI

The failure to regularly convene CCI meetings means that the process of democratic decision-making is falling apart.
Defeating TB
04 Nov, 2024

Defeating TB

CONSIDERING the fact that Pakistan has the fifth highest burden of tuberculosis in the world as per the World Health...
Ceasefire charade
Updated 04 Nov, 2024

Ceasefire charade

The US talks of peace, while simultaneously arming and funding their Israeli allies, are doomed to fail, and are little more than a charade.