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RF reduces level of diplomatic relations with Qatar

The ministry demanded the Qatari authorities immediately investigate the incident in Doha involving the Russian ambassador to Qatar

Photo ITAR-TASS

Photo ITAR-TASS

MOSCOW, December 5 (Itar-Tass) – Russia is reducing the level of diplomatic relations with Qatar because of an incident involving the Russian ambassador, the Foreign Ministry said in its Twitter blog on Monday.

“On November 29, at Doha’s International Airport Russian Ambassador to Qatar Vladimir Titorenko, who was returning from Jordan, was attacked by the airport’s safety service and the customs, during the delivery of diplomatic mail,” the ministry said.

“Due to Qatar’s aggressive actions an attempt was made to physically affect the Russian ambassador and official from the Russian Embassy to Qatar,” spokesman Alexander Lukashevich said earlier.

“On November 30, the Russian Foreign Ministry sent a note of protest saying this incident was unprecedented and outrage on the norms of international law and would have the negative impact on the Russian-Qatari relations,” the ministry said.

“The note demanded the Qatari authorities immediately investigate the incident in Doha involving the Russian ambassador to Qatar, submit apologises and take necessary measures to strictly punish those responsible,” the ministry reported.

On December 4, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov had a telephone conversation with Qatari Prime Minister, Foreign Minister Hamad Bin Jassim Al Thani to inform him about Russia’s decision to reduce the level of diplomatic relations with Qatar until the mentioned demands be satisfied.

“Russian Ambassador Vladimir Titorenko will leave Qatar within days after he completes medical treatment,” the ministry said.

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