Saudi Arabia summons Iranian envoy in protest

Saudi Arabia has summoned the Iranian envoy in a strong gesture of protest against Iran's condemnation of the execution of a Shiite leader on terror charges.

The influential Muslim cleric, Nimr al-Nimr, was among 47 people put to death by Saudi Arabia on Saturday, after being convicted of terrorism offences.

Saudi Arabia's foreign ministry said it handed the envoy a strongly-worded note about "aggressive Iranian statements". It also asked Tehran to comply with international conventions, and protect its diplomats on Iranian soil, after local protests sprang up across Iran against the execution.

Earlier in the day, Iran's Foreign Ministry summoned Saudi Arabia's charge d'affaires to Tehran. It strongly condemned the execution, and called it an "irresponsible behavior".