Saudi Arabia severs ties with Canada over Ottawa 'interference'
Saudi Arabia has expelled the Canadian ambassador and recalled its envoy after severing business ties with Ottawa over claims of interference in its internal affairs.
"The kingdom of Saudi Arabia... will not accept interference in its internal affairs or imposed diktats from any country," said the Saudi Foreign Ministry on Monday.
"The kingdom announces that it is recalling its ambassador... to Canada for consultation," it added.
It also noted that the Canadian ambassador to Riyadh had 24 hours to leave and that it was "freezing of all new commercial and investment transactions" with Ottawa.
The Canadian Embassy in Riyadh said it was "gravely concerned" over a spike of arrests of human rights campaigners in the Saudi kingdom including gender rights activist Samar Badawi.
"We urge the Saudi authorities to immediately release them and all other peaceful #humanrights activists," tweeted the Canadian embassy.
"It is very unfortunate that the words 'immediate release' appeared in the Canadian statement... it is unacceptable in relations between countries," tweeted the Saudi foreign ministry in response.
Riyadh also released a statement on the official Saudi Press Agency, in which it confirmed its commitment to not interfere in the internal affairs of other countries and in return rejected any intervention by them.
"Any further step from the Canadian side in that direction will be considered as acknowledgment of our right to interfere in the Canadian domestic affairs," said the statement.
Iran, Saudi Arabia reaffirm commitment to China-brokered détente
OIC condemns Israeli official’s racist remarks on West Bank sovereignty
Islamic leaders demand immediate end to Israel’s aggression in Gaza, Lebanon
6 Israeli soldiers committed suicide in recent months: Reports
Diplomat discourages recourse to pressure, intimidation, confrontation against Iran
UN: 2024 deadliest year for aid workers amid genocide in Gaza
Gaza health official warns of hospital shutdowns within 48 hours
Israel kills 5 more paramedics in southern Lebanon: Health ministry
Iran to launch ‘new, advanced’ centrifuges in response to IAEA resolution: AEOI
Yemen fires hypersonic missile at Israeli airbase
VIDEO | New Delhi chokes under toxic smog as air quality remains at hazardous levels
PressTV NEWSLETTER
now
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
