Egypt condemns attack on Saudi embassy in Tehran
Wed, 06/01/2016 - 14:00 Egypt Independent
http://www.egyptindependent.com//news/egypt-condemns-attack-saudi-embassy-tehran

Egypt has condemned attacks on Saudi Arabia's embassy in Tehran and the
Saudi consulate in Mashhad, according to a statement on the Foreign
Ministry's website, amid a growing crisis and diplomatic fallout between the
kingdom and the Shi'ite republic.

Both attacks occurred following Saudi Arabia's execution of Shi'ite Muslim
cleric Nimr al-Nimr, which has received wide condemnation from the Shi'ite
community, most specifically Iran.

Following the attacks, Saudi Arabia broke off diplomatic ties with Iran and
demanded that all Iranian diplomats exit the country. Saudi Arabia's
decision was matched by decisions to cut off relations with Iran by the
United Arab Emirates, Sudan, Kuwait and Bahrain.

Egypt stresses "the need to respect the inviolability of the premises of
diplomatic and consular missions and the safety of their personnel,
guaranteed by the Vienna Conventions on Diplomatic and Consular Relations,"
said the Foreign Ministry statement published on Monday.

During a trip to Riyadh on Tuesday, Egypt's Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry
denounced the attacks in Tehran as "unacceptable" and said Iran's actions
are tantamount to "intervening in the kingdom's internal affairs", reported
Al-Arabiya.

"Security of the kingdom is an integral part of Egypt's security and Egypt's
security is an integral part of the kingdom's security," Al-Arabiya quoted
Shoukry as saying.

The rivalry between Saudi Arabia and Iran for influence in the Middle East
has manifested itself in proxy wars and diplomatic squabbles, including the
conflicts in Yemen and Syria. Saudi Arabia intervened in Yemen, with the
support of Egypt, to prevent the the Iran-supported Houthi militia from
seizing power. Saudi Arabia has also supported Syria's rebels against Iran's
ally Bashar al-Assad.

Egypt has received support from Saudi Arabia amid domestic political
conflicts and growing economic woes, which has resulted in Egypt seeking
financial support from its Gulf neighbors.