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Sudan expels Iran ambassador, UAE downgrades links with Islamic Republic

Saudi Arabia was the first to sever diplomatic ties with Iran on Sunday

ABU-DHABI/KUWAIT CITY, January 4. /TASS/. Sudan on Monday announced plans to sever diplomatic relations with Iran and expel the Iranian ambassador while the United Arab Emirates decided to downgrade the level of its diplomatic representation in the Islamic Republic.

The office of Sudanese President Umar al-Bashir said all Iranian diplomats had to leave the country and accused Iran of "inciting religious hatred." Sudan also will recall its ambassador from Tehran, the presidential office said.

Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates "has decided to downgrade the level of its diplomatic representation in the Islamic Republic of Iran to that of a charge d' affaires and to require a reduction in the number of Iranian diplomats stationed in the UAE," WAM news agency reported on Monday.

Saudi Arabia was the first to sever diplomatic ties with Iran on Sunday after a mob of protesters angry with the kingdom's execution of prominent Shiite cleric Nimr al-Nimr attacked its embassy in Tehran. Riyadh told its diplomats to leave the Islamic Republic within 48 hours.

Bahrain followed Saudi Arabia in cutting ties with Iran.