Jordan to downgrade diplomatic ties with Qatar

Government spokesman Mohammad Al-Momani had also announced that the Amman government had revoked the license of Doha-based TV channel Al Jazeera
2 min read
07 June, 2017
Jordan, a beneficiary of Saudi funds has downgraded ties with Qatar [Getty]

Jordan announced on Tuesday that it will downgrade its diplomatic representation with Qatar after conducting an examination of the "cause of the crisis" between Doha and several other Arab states.

Government spokesman Mohammad Al-Momani had also announced that the Amman government had revoked the license of Doha-based TV channel Al Jazeera.

Riyadh is a key financial supporter of Jordan.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia has told Kuwait, which is currently mediating the GCC crisis that Qatar has 24 hours to comply with 10 conditions set for Doha in order to reinstate diplomatic ties, starting Tuesday night.

Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt and Bahrain all cut off diplomatic contact with Qatar on Monday morning, after officially accusing it of "sponsoring terrorism".

In what appears to be a coordinated move, foreign office officials claimed Qatar was responsible for supporting the Islamic State group and al-Qaeda "at all levels" in an unprecedented diplomatic spat for the Gulf region.

In a tweet sent out early on Monday morning, the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs said: "Protecting national security from threats of terrorism and extremism, Saudi Arabia has decided to sever diplomatic and consular relations with the State of Qatar."

Riyadh announced on state television that Qatar would no longer participate in the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen, claiming Doha had helped support its enemy, Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula.