Cairo Condemns Attacks on Saudi Diplomatic Missions in Iran

Egypt condemns the torching of the Saudi embassy in Tehran and the Saudi consulate in the city of Mashhad in Iran, according to the official statement of the Egyptian Foreign Ministry.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The Egyptian Foreign Ministry condemned on Sunday attacks by protesters on Saudi diplomatic missions in Iran, triggered by Riyadh executions.

Over 40 people were arrested late on Saturday over attacks on the Saudi embassy in Tehran and the consulate in Mashhad.  The demonstrators were protesting the executions of prominent Shia cleric Nimr al-Nimr in the Sunni-ruled kingdom.

"Egypt condemns the torching of the Saudi embassy in Tehran and the Saudi consulate in the city of Mashhad in Iran," the foreign ministry said in a statement.

Cairo stressed the need for Iran to "respect the inviolability of the premises of diplomatic and consular missions and the safety of personnel," the statement added.

On Sunday, Arab League’s Secretary General Nabil Araby condemned “in the strongest terms” the attacks on Saudi diplomatic missions in Iran.

In the wake of the attacks, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Sudan announced the cutting of diplomatic ties with Iran. Earlier on Monday, the United Arab Emirates announced that it was reducing the number of Iranian diplomats in Abu Dhabi and downgrading the diplomatic ties with Tehran.

Saudi Arabia announced Saturday it had executed 47 men on terrorism charges, including al-Nimr, an outspoken critic of Riyadh authorities, and several alleged al-Qaeda members.