Saudi Arabia defends Shia cleric's execution

In a rare interview with the BBC, the Saudi Arabian government has defended its decision to execute a leading Shia cleric on Saturday.

His death sparked angry protests in Iran and other countries including Pakistan and Bahrain.

Diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran have now been severed.

Saudi justice ministry spokesman Sheikh Mansour Al-Ghefary spoke to the BBC's chief international correspondent Lyse Doucet and said the cleric was executed because he was guilty of violent crimes.

This interview has a simulcast translation which was provided by Saudi TV