Qatar has asked several senior leaders of the Muslim Brotherhood to leave the country, after their presence strained relations with its neighbors.

The announcement of their departure came from the leaders themselves, with senior Brotherhood figure Amr Darrag posting a video message on his Facebook page saying he is leaving Qatar to avoid causing any embarrassment to the country. He said the government of Qatar asked him and several of his colleagues to leave the country.

Qatar had been seen as a haven for the Muslim Brotherhood after its ouster from Egypt following the overthrow of Egyptian president Mohammed Morsi in July 2013. Qatar’s acceptance of Brotherhood members has angered its neighbors, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, as well as Egypt. All three of those countries have pulled their envoys out of Qatar.

Qatari officials have not commented on the announced departure of the Brotherhood leaders.

 
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