06 June, 2017
Following suit, one of Libya's three rival governments has announced cutting diplomatic relations with Qatar, after four Arab countries severed ties.
It blamed Qatar for funding groups that have contributed to Libya's current divisions. Qatar has called the move a "campaign of incitement" which is "based on lies".
The interim government is affiliated with the internationally recognized House of Representatives and is based in eastern Libya.
On May 25, they seized the Tamenhant base near Sebha after driving out a militia loyal to the internationally recognised administration, the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA).
This decision came after a similar action was taken by Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain, Egypt and Yemen, which all cut diplomatic ties with Qatar.
Libya has been wracked by chaos since the 2011 uprising that toppled and killed longtime dictator Moamer Kadhafi, with rival authorities and militias battling for control of the oil-rich country.
In a statement, the Bayda government's foreign ministry said Qatari support for Islamist groups and political parties had led to the rise of the self-declared National Salvation government in western and southern Libya in 2014.
Libyan National Committee for Human Rights on Sunday also called for a comprehensive global investigation into Qatar's interference in Libya's internal affairs and financial and military support for extremist groups and organizations in the country. It has been sidelined since the arrival of the United Nations -backed Government of National Accord in the capital in March a year ago. Most recently they have advanced near oasis towns in the Jufra and Sabha regions.
