Qatar says state news agency hacked

By Ahmed al-Masri

DOHA (AA) – Qatar has denied “false” statements attributed to the country’s emir, saying the website of the official news agency has been hacked.

“The website of the Qatari News Agency has been hacked by an unknown entity,” the government’s communications office said in a statement early Wednesday.

The office said “false” statements attributed to Emir Tamim have been published.

“[The statements] that have published were untrue,” the statement said.

The communication office said an investigation has been launched into the incident and those responsible will be held accountable.

The statements attributed to the Qatari ruler included his call for Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain to reconsider their anti-Doha stances.

The statements also included his view about the U.S., Iran, Israel, Lebanese group Hezbollah and Palestinian movement Hamas.