Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain & Egypt cut ties with Qatar for 'destabilising security in region'

Amid a deepening rift between Gulf Arab nations, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain & Egypt on Monday cut ties with Qatar for 'destabilising security in region'.

Saudi Arabia broke diplomatic relations and all land sea and air contacts with fellow Gulf Arab state Qatar, saying the move was necessary to protect the kingdom from what it described as terrorism and extremism.

The official state news agency, citing an official source, said Saudi Arabia had decided to sever diplomatic and consular relations with Qatar "proceeding from the exercise of its sovereign right guaranteed by international law and the protection of national security from the dangers of terrorism and extremism".

"Saudi Arabia cut all land air and sea contacts with Qatar and urges all brotherly countries and companies to do the same."

Bahrain said it cut diplomatic relations with Qatar, accusing its fellow Gulf Arab state of backing terrorism and interfering in Bahrain's internal affairs.

A brief statement on the official Bahrain news agency said Bahrain, a close ally of Saudi Arabia, was also cutting air and sea contact with Qatar and was giving its citizens in Qatar 14 days to leave.

Egypt has cut ties accusing the Gulf Arab state of supporting 'terrorist' organisations including the Muslim Brotherhood, Egypt's state news agency reported.

The United Arab Emirates cut ties accusing its Gulf Arab neighbour of supporting extremism and undermining regional stability.

The Emirates cut ties and gave diplomats 48 hours to leave the country, citing their "support, funding and embrace of terrorist, extremist and sectarian organisations", state news agency WAM said.