Israel closed its embassy in Mauritania

Israel closed Friday its embassy in Mauritania at the request of the authorities of that country who had suspended in January diplomatic relations with Israel following the war in Ghaza, said the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

•     "After the decision of the Government of Mauritania on 16 January to suspend relations with Israel and at the request of Mauritania, Israel has today closed its embassy in Nouakchott," said the ministry in a statement.
  
      Mauritania, along with Qatar, two Muslim countries, decided in mid-January to suspend their relations with Israel in protest against the offensive in Ghaza.
  
      Mauritania maintained diplomatic relations with Israel and Qatar hosted a trade office in Israel.
  
      Egypt and Jordan signed a peace treaty with Israel, receiving embassies of the Hebrew state.
  
      Israel launched on 27 December a massive offensive against the Palestinian movement who controls the Ghaza Strip to stop Palestinian rocket attacks against southern territory. This war, which ended on January 18, caused 1330 Palestinian deaths.
    
  Ennaharonline/ M. O.