Chadian Foreign Minister Hussein Taha Ibrahim

Chadian Foreign Minister Hussein Taha Ibrahim said on Wednesday that his country severed ties with Doha as it undermined its security through its support for armed groups in Libya.

In a phone call with Sky News Channel, the minister said that Qatar provided a safe haven to armed groups who are staying in Libya and hotels in Qatar, accusing Doha of providing financial and logistical support to these groups.

He also accused Qatar of being behind attacks that took place near his country's borders with Libya.

Qatar undermined Chad’s efforts to rebuild the country after years of war, he cautioned.

Earlier, the Chadian foreign ministry, in a statement, said "Given the continued involvement of the state of Qatar in the attempts at the destabilization of Chad from Libya, the government has decided on the closure of the embassy and the departure of the ambassador and diplomatic personnel from national territory."

"They have been given 10 days in this regard," it said.

It added that the decision was driven by the will to "safeguard peace and stability in the region."

Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain broke off diplomatic and trade ties with Qatar, accusing it of supporting terrorist groups.

Source : Mena