Saudi envoy rejects false report about cousin's link to Daesh

Saudi Ambassador to Iraq Thamer Al-Sabhan

JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Iraq has denied allegations by British news outlet The Independent that his cousin died while fighting for Daesh.
The Saudi ambassador Thamer Al-Sabhan sent a letter to the British website, saying that he didn’t have a cousin named Abdel Salaam Al-Sabhan and none of his family member ever fought for Daesh or any other extremist group.
The ambassador asked the publication to rectify the story and demanded an apology for publishing incorrect news and threatened to take further legal actions.
The Independent published a story today saying Baghdad tried to expel Saudi ambassador for refusing to denounce a cousin who died while fighting for extremist group Daesh.
“I’m writing to you in reference to what was published on your website stating that I refused to denounce my cousin who died fighting for Daesh. I would like to inform you that this is entirely incorrect. I don’t have a cousin whose name is Abdel Salaam Al-Sabhan,” the ambassador said in the letter — a copy of which was also tweeted.
“I would like to also affirm that none of my family members ever fought for Daesh or any other extremist groups worldwide. I formally request your newspaper to rectify the article and offer your apology. I also reserve my right to pursue further legal actions,” Al-Sabhan said.