The United Arab Emirates has defended its right to suspend key BlackBerry smartphone services in the Gulf state after the United States criticised the move.

“The UAE is exercising its sovereign right to make the decision,” Yousef al-Otaiba, the UAE’s ambassador to Washington, was quoted as saying in local newspapers.

Washington expressed “disappointment” after the telecommunications authority in the Gulf business hub said on Sunday it would suspend BlackBerry services including email, messenger and web browsing from October 11.

“We are disappointed at this announcement,” US State Department spokesman Philip Crowley said.

“We will be clarifying with the UAE the reasons for the decision which sets a dangerous precedent,” he added.

The UAE also announced it would suspend roaming for the same services, meaning businessmen or tourists visiting emirates like Dubai could be denied access to the services during their stay.

Mr Otaiba said the UAE was “asking for exactly the same regulatory compliance - and with the same principles of judicial and regulatory oversight - that BlackBerry grants the US and other governments.”

He was quoted as saying that the Gulf state is seeking “the same compliance as the US for the very same reasons: to protect national security and to assist in law enforcement.”

“It is regrettable that after several years of discussions, Blackberry is still not compliant with UAE regulatory requirements even as it complies with similar policies in other countries,” he added.