ZCZC
BFF-11
MAURITANIA-QATAR-POLITICS-DIPLOMACY
Mauritania re-establishes diplomatic ties with Qatar after four-year freeze
NOUAKCHOTT, March 22, 2021 (BSS/AFP) – Mauritania re-established diplomatic
relations with Qatar, its foreign ministry announced Sunday, almost four
years after breaking them off in the midst of a Saudi-led freeze on ties with
Doha.
Nouakchott had followed Riyadh and its allies in cutting ties and transport
links with Qatar in June 2017, alleging it backed radical Islamist groups and
was too close to Iran — claims Doha has always denied.
But in January, following a flurry of diplomatic activity by former US
president Donald Trump’s administration, the boycott was lifted and Qatar was
brought back into the regional fold.
“After intensive contacts over the past week and with much appreciated
support from the Sultanate of Oman, the Islamic Republic of Mauritania and
Qatar decided to resume diplomatic ties,” the ministry said in a statement
released to the Mauritanian News Agency.
The announcement came after a meeting in Doha between the foreign minister
and his Qatari counterpart, at which “the long-standing brotherly relations
between the two countries” was discussed.
The two countries will reopen their respective embassies “as soon as
possible,” the statement added.
BSS/AFP/GMR/0955 hrs