DHAKA: Senior officials from Qatar have strongly denied claims the country is supporting terrorist groups in Syria such as Islamic State.

They told the BBC that Qatar had only provided support to moderate militants, in co-ordination with the CIA and other Western and Arab intelligence agencies.

Strict financial controls had been put in place, they added.

The comments come ahead of a visit to the UK this week by the Qatar’s ruler Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

Earlier this month a number of MPs were reported to have questioned the UK’s closeness to Qatar, amid the claims of the links to IS funding.

BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner says Qatar, a major investor in the UK through its sovereign wealth fund, has been stung by the allegations.

BDST: 1405 HRS, OCT 27, 2014