Israel has closed down its embassy in the west African state of Mauritania - one of three Arab nations that has diplomatic ties with Israel - in the wake of a dispute over the Gaza war. "Following a January 16 decision of the Mauritanian government to freeze ties with Israel, and at the request of Mauritania, Israel today closed its embassy in Nouakchott," the Israeli Foreign Ministry announced. Mauritania had called back its ambassador in Israel following the 22-day offensive against Hamas.
In Nouakchott, an AFP correspondent said the Israeli flag and security measures, including surveillance cameras, had been taken down overnight. A diplomatic source said embassy staff were expected to leave Mauritania on Friday or Saturday. It was not clear if the embassy closure was temporary or permanent, signaling a break in diplomatic ties which date from 1999. Egypt and Jordan are the only other Arab countries to have formal diplomatic relations with Israel.
