Sudan condemns attack on Saudi embassy in Iran

January 3, 2015 (KHARTOUM) – Sudanese foreign ministry Sunday has condemned an attack on the Saudi embassy in Tehran to protest the execution on terrorism charges of Nimr al-Nimr, a prominent cleric from the kingdom’s Shiite minority.

Following the attack and hostile statements by Iranian Shiite leaders, the Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir Sunday announced the cutting of diplomatic relations with Iran and requests the departure of delegates of diplomatic missions of the embassy and consulate and offices related to it within 48 hours.

In a statement issued by the foreign ministry in Khartoum, the Sudanese government condemned the attack on the Saudi embassy in Tehran without mentioning the execution of al-Nmir.

The statement described the attack on the Saudi embassy as “an act of extreme hostility”. It further demanded Tehran to provide protection for diplomatic missions, and bring to justice those involved in the incident.

The Sudanese foreign ministry further reiterated its “total condemnation of all forms of violence and extremism, whatever the reasons are.”

In the past years, Sudanese government had strong ties with Tehran but since the death of King Abdullah, Khartoum improved its ties with the Saudi Arabia and participates in the Saudi-led military campaign against the Iranian-backed Shiite Houthi militants in Yemen.

(ST)