国际英语新闻:Riyadh, Tehran squabble over leading Shiite cleric's executions, sectarian tensions may rise

RIYADH/TEHREN, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- Saudi Arabia and Iran summoned on Saturday each other's envoys over Riyadh's execution of a leading Shiite cleric who was accused of inciting violence.

Saudi Arabia's Foreign Ministry summoned on Saturday the Iranian ambassador to Riyadh to protest Iran's statement over the execution of prominent Shiite Muslim cleric Nimr al-Nimr, Saudi Press Agency reported.

The report said that the Ministry expressed the Kingdom's denunciation and categorical rejection to Iran's statements, calling it "a flagrant violation of the Kingdom's internal affairs."

The ministry also held the Iranian government completely responsible for the protection of the Saudi embassy in Tehran, and the consulate in the city of Mashhad and the safety of all its personnel from any hostile actions.

Earlier reports say that Iranian protesters gathered in front of the Saudi consulate and chanted slogans against the Arab state's authorities, according to media report.

They pulled down the flag of Saudi Arabia from the building of the consulate and throw handmade crackers which caused fire in part of the building, it said. No casualties were reported so far.

Early on Saturday, Saudi Interior Ministry announced the execution of 47 people on terrorist charges, including the dissident Shiite leader.

Most of the executed were Saudis and involved in a series of attacks carried out by al-Qaida from 2003-06. Nimr al-Nimr was also a driving force behind anti-government protests that broke out in 2011.

Also on Saturday, Iran's Foreign Ministry summoned Saudi Arabia's charge d'affaires to Tehran to protest the execution of the prominent Shiite Muslim cleric.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Amir-Abdollahian conveyed the strong protest of Islamic republic to the Saudi envoy, Ahmed al-Muwallid, over what he called the "irresponsible behavior" of the Saudi officials, according to the state TV.

"Saudi Arabia is the main defendant of the terrorism and extremism in the region," Amir-Abdollahian said, warning against the violation of human rights and the suppress of minorities in the Arab kingdom.

Earlier in the day, Iran's Foreign Ministry strongly condemned the execution.

"While the Saudi government supports extremists and terrorist groups, it cracks down on and executes its dissidents," Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hossein Jaber Ansari said.

The Saudi government should await the repercussions of such acts, "as they will pay clearly for their policies," he said.

Late last month, Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Hossein Jaber Ansari told a weekly press conference that his country is fully ready for changes in its relations with Saudi Arabia on regional issues.

"If there is a serious will in Saudi official, Iran is fully ready for the change in the current climate of bilateral relations so that it meets the interests of both countries," he said, adding that the improvement of bilateral ties can pave the way for adaptation of serious measures to settle the crises in the Middle East region, he said.

To this end, there have been some contacts between the officials of the two countries on the sidelines of recent international meetings, he added.

However, Saturday's executions may well raise tensions between the two regional powers, while sectarian tensions between Sunni and Shiite muslims may rise over the controversial issue.

Saudi Arabia has long accused Iran of arming and financing Houthi Shiite fighters in Yemen, which was strongly rejected by Tehran. Iran and Saudi Arabia are also divided over a number of other regional issues including the situations in Syria, Bahrain and Iraq.