Mauritania breaks diplomatic ties with Qatar, Gabon voices condemnation

The Arab world's biggest powers, including Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, cut diplomatic relations with Qatar on Monday, accusing it of supporting Islamist militants and Iran. Qatar vehemently denies the claims.

"The state of Qatar has linked its policies ... in support of terrorist organizations and the propagation of extremist ideas," the Mauritanian ministry of foreign affairs said in a statement published in Arabic by the Mauritanian Information Agency.

"This has resulted in heavy losses to human life in these Arab countries, in Europe and throughout the world," it said.

Oil producer Gabon condemned Qatar for "failing to respect international commitments and agreements on counter-terrorism," a statement from its foreign ministry said, The Central African nation was "preoccupied with Qatar's continuing support for terrorist groups", it said.

(Reporting by Kissima Diagana; Writing by Tim Cocks; Editing by Paul Tait)