Ankara Urges Calm between Tehran, Riyadh
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Turkey’s Foreign Ministry on Tuesday called on Tehran and Riyadh to show calm and return to “diplomatic language” following Saudi Arabia’s execution of prominent Shiite cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr.
"Turkey calls for an end to threats, and a return to diplomatic language, and urges mutual caution (following the execution of Ayatollah Nimr al-Nimr by Riyadh)," a statement from the ministry said, Reuters reported.
The Saudi government on Sunday announced that Riyadh was severing its diplomatic relations with Tehran following angry protests in Tehran at the execution of Sheikh Nimr.
Saudi Arabia’s execution of 47 prisoners, including Sheikh Nimr, on Saturday drew global condemnation.
The executions took place in 12 cities in Saudi Arabia, four prisons using firing squads and the others beheading. The bodies were then hanged from gibbets in the most severe form of punishment available in the kingdom's law.
Sheikh Nimr had been detained in July 2012 on charges of delivering anti-regime speeches and defending political prisoners.
