(VOVWORLD) - Saudi Arabia said on Tuesday that the closure of its airspace to flights from Qatar was within the kingdom's sovereign right to protect its citizens from any threat, and regarded as a precautionary measure.
 The UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain issue identical statements on the air embargo on Qatar. (Photo: Reuters)
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The statement was a response to Chief Executive of Qatar Airways, Akbar al-Baker, who criticized Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain for violating international law by closing their airspace against Qatar. Al Baker had appealed to the International Civil Aviation Organization to declare the airspace closure as illegal. Similar statements were also issued by the UAE and Bahraini aviation authorities.
The UAE said it is committed to the prevention of all Qatari airlines and aircraft registered in Qatar from landing at or transit in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain.