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Qatar recalls ambassador to Iran in wake of Saudi execution crisis

Qatar joins five other countries that have either cut ties or downgraded relations with Iran this week in wake of executions
Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani meets with Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz during December's GCC summit (AFP)

Qatar has recalled its ambassador to Iran following an attack on the Saudi Arabian embassy in Tehran, state media in Doha said on Wednesday.

"Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs recalled today Qatar's Ambassador to Tehran following the attacks on the Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Tehran and general consulate in Mashhad," said foreign ministry director, Khalid bin Ibrahim al-Hamar, quoted by the Qatar News Agency.

On Sunday, Riyadh cut diplomatic ties with Tehran, the day after its embassy and consulate were set on fire in Iran, carried out by protestors angry at Saudi's execution of prominent Shia cleric Nimr al-Nimr.

Bahrain and Sudan have also cut ties, the UAE has downgraded its diplomatic presence in Tehran, while Kuwait removed its ambassador. 

Djibouti on Wednesday also said it had cut ties with Iran.

Earlier this week, Iran sent a letter to the UN Security Council, saying it regretted the attacks on Saudi's missions and vowed to prevent future incidents.

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