Maliki has long had chilly relations with the Gulf states, who view him as too close to Iran, and has long suspected them of funding al-Qaida-linked groups to bring down his Shiite-led government.

Both Saudi Arabia and Qatar have played an activist role in the Syria war, supporting armed groups fighting President Bashar al-Assad. They both deny supporting al-Qaida.

Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain withdrew their ambassadors from Qataron Wednesday in an unprecedented public split between Gulf Arab allies who have fallen out

About the broadcaster:

Anne Ruisi is an editor at China Daily online with more than 30 years of experience as a newspaper editor and reporter. She has worked at newspapers in the U.S., including The Birmingham News in Alabama and City Newspaper of Rochester, N.Y.

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