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         Gulf Foreign Ministers Back Saudi Arabia in Dispute with Iran

   by VOA News

   Foreign ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council have expressed their
   support for Saudi Arabia in its diplomatic dispute with predominantly
   Shi'ite Iran.

   The council, which comprises Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait
   and the United Arab Emirates, in a statement criticized what it
   described as Iranian interference in the internal affairs of Saudi
   Arabia and the region.

   "The Ministerial Council discussed the repercussions of the attack on
   the Saudi Embassy in Tehran and the Saudi consulate in the Iranian city
   of Mashhad. It strongly condemned these acts and stated that Iran
   carries the responsibility for these terrorist acts," said GCC
   Secretary General Abdullatif al-Zayani following a meeting in Riyadh of
   the foreign ministers.

   Saudi Arabia has also asked the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and
   the Arab League to convene a meeting to discuss the situation.

   Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said his country, which cut ties
   with Iran this past week, would considering taking further measures.

   "We are looking at additional measures to be taken if it [Iran]
   continues with its current policies," he said.

   The heightened tensions came in the aftermath of Sunni Saudi Arabia's
   recent execution of a leading Shi'ite cleric, Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr.
   After Riyadh announced his execution, along with 46 others, angry
   Iranian protesters smashed furniture and set fires at the Saudi Embassy
   in Tehran, with demonstrators also attacking the country's consulate in
   Mashhad.

   In response, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, which has a Shi'ite majority,
   severed diplomatic relations with Iran. Kuwait recalled its ambassador,
   the United Arab Emirates downgraded its ties, and Oman and Qatar
   condemned the attacks.
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   bia-dispute-iran/3138341.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/gulf-foreign-ministers-back-saudi-arabia-dispute-iran/3138341.html