Gulf Rivals United in Condemning New Zealand Mosque Attacks

Gulf states, including rivals Saudi Arabia and Qatar, closed ranks in condemning the mosque attacks in New Zealand that killed at least 49 worshipers and wounded dozens during Friday prayers.

Saudi Arabia, the birthplace of Islam and home of its holiest sites, condemned "in the strongest terms possible the shootings at two mosques" in the city of Christchurch.

The foreign ministry said one Saudi citizen was lightly wounded in the attacks but was recovering.

Qatar's emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, rejected "terrorism, extremism, regardless of motives, reasons" in a tweet carried by the official QNA news agency. 

Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt cut all ties with Doha in June 2017 and has imposed a boycott over allegations it supported Islamist extremists and Shiite Iran.

Qatar denies the allegations and says the boycott aims to incite regime change.

Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and the United Arab Emirates also all condemned the mosque attacks which have sparked global revulsion.

The UAE's foreign ministry said Abu Dhabi stood in "full solidarity with the friendly state of New Zealand to confront extremism and terrorism and... safeguard the security and the safety of its citizens and all residents."

Bahrain said the killings ran "contrary to all religious principles, morals and human values."