An official source stated that the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, emanating from exercising its sovereign rights guaranteed by international law, to protect its national security from the dangers of terrorism and extremism, has decided to cut off diplomatic and consular relations with the State of Qatar. It also decided to close all land, sea and air ports, to prevent crossing into Saudi territories, airspace and territorial waters, and begin immediate legal procedures to create an understanding with our sister nations, allies and partners, and international companies to implement the same procedure as soon as possible for all means of transport to and from the State of Qatar, for reasons relating to Saudi national security.

This decisive decision was taken by the government of Saudi Arabia as a result of grave violations that the authorities in Doha continued to commit over the past years, covertly and publicly, with the aim of dividing internal Saudi ranks, inciting against the State, infringing on its sovereignty, embracing various terrorist and sectarian groups aimed at destabilizing the region including the Muslim Brotherhood Group, Daesh (ISIS) and Al-Qaeda, constantly promoting the literature and plans of these groups through its media, supporting the activities of the Iranian-backed terrorist groups in the governorate of Qatif in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and our sister nation the Kingdom of Bahrain, its continued financing, adopting and sheltering of extremists who seek to undermine the stability and unity at home and abroad, and using the media to fuel the internal strife. Additionally the support of the authorities in Doha for the Houthi militia led coup was made clear to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, even after the announcement of the Coalition to Support the Legitimacy in Yemen. This decision by the Kingdom was also taken in solidarity with the sister Kingdom of Bahrain, which is subjected to terrorist campings and operations supported by the authorities in Doha.

Since 1995, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its sister nations have made strenuous and continued efforts to urge the authorities in Doha to abide by its commitments and agreements, yet, they have repeatedly violated their international obligations and the agreements they signed under the umbrella of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) for Arab States to cease the hostilities against the Kingdom and stand against terrorist groups and activities of which the latest was their failure to implement the Riyadh Agreement.

In accordance with the decision to cut off diplomatic and consular relations, Saudi citizens are prohibited from traveling to, residing in or passing through Qatar. Saudi residents and visitors in Qatar are advised to leave its territories within no more than 14 days. Unfortunately, for security reasons, this prevents Qatari citizens' entry to or transit through the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and Qatari residents and visitors must leave Saudi territories within 14 days. All the while, the Kingdom confirms its commitment and care to provide all the services and facilities for Qatari Haj and Umrah pilgrims.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia affirms that it has long been patient, despite the fact that the authorities in Doha have continued to evade their commitments and conspire against the Kingdom, out of concern for the people of Qatar, who remain a natural and genuine extension of their brethren in the Kingdom and an integral part of its history and family. The Kingdom will continue to support the people of Qatar, its security and stability regardless of the hostile practices the authorities in Doha continue to carry out.