Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Bahrain cut ties to Qatar
June 5, 2017
Qatar calls decision by Gulf nations and Egypt ‘unjustified’, saying allegations against Doha have ‘no basis in fact’.
Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Bahrain say they are severing diplomatic relations with Qatar.
The Saudi kingdom made the announcement via its state-run Saudi Press Agency early on Monday, saying it was taking action for what it called the protection of national security.
The three Gulf states gave Qatari visitors and residents two weeks to leave their countries, Reuters news agency reported.
Saudi also closed the border and halted air and sea traffic with Qatar, urging “all brotherly countries and companies to do the same”.
The statement appeared to be timed in concert with an earlier announcement by Bahrain, which was similarly cutting ties and halting air and sea traffic between the two countries.
