<<Print>>

Qatar on Monday slammed the decisions of six nations to sever ties with it, saying they were 'unjustified' and aimed to put Doha under political 'guardianship'. 

The United Arab Emirates, Yemen, Egypt and the Maldives announced they will be joining Bahrain and Saudi Arabia and withdrawing their diplomatic staff from Qatar, over claims that the country supported Islamist groups, earlier on Monday.

The diplomatic broadside threatens the international prestige of Qatar, which is set to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup. It has for years presented itself as a mediator and power broker for the region's many disputes.