Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain have withdrawn their ambassadors from Qatar in protest at Doha’s interference in their internal affairs. <br /><br />The unprecedented public spat has raised questions about the future of the Gulf Co-Operation Council and highlighted growing tensions between the Gulf Arab allies over Qatar’s support for Islamist groups across the Middle East, particularly in Syria. <br /><br />Qatar voiced ‘regret and surprise’ at the decision saying it would not withdraw its own envoys. <br /><br />From Dubai our correspondent Fransois Chignac said: “The dispute which has been rumbling for some time came to a head when a Qatari man was jailed for seven years here in Dubai for supporting a banned organisation – namely the Muslim Brotherhood. This latest action is by far the most serious threat to the alliance of pro-Western nations since it was set up in the 1980s.<br /><br />In Doha euronews’ Mara Barada said: “The official response here in Doha was one of ‘surprise’. A communique, said Qatar would not be withdrawing its own ambassadors in response adding that it remained committed to “the security and stability” of the Gulf Co-operation Council. All eyes are now on Kuwait – a fellow GCC member – whose emir is expected to attempt to heal the rift.’‘
