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

Military convictions
Updated 22 Dec, 2024

Military convictions

Pakistan’s democracy, still finding its feet, cannot afford such compromises on core democratic values.
Need for talks
22 Dec, 2024

Need for talks

FOR a long time now, the country has been in the grip of relentless political uncertainty, featuring the...
Vulnerable vaccinators
22 Dec, 2024

Vulnerable vaccinators

THE campaign to eradicate polio from Pakistan cannot succeed unless the safety of vaccinators and security personnel...
Strange claim
Updated 21 Dec, 2024

Strange claim

In all likelihood, Pakistan and US will continue to be ‘frenemies'.
Media strangulation
Updated 21 Dec, 2024

Media strangulation

Administration must decide whether it wishes to be remembered as an enabler or an executioner of press freedom.
Israeli rampage
21 Dec, 2024

Israeli rampage

ALONG with the genocide in Gaza, Israel has embarked on a regional rampage, attacking Arab and Muslim states with...