Gulf states agree to restore ties with Qatar
Saudi Arabia and three other Arab states agreed to fully restore ties with neighbouring Qatar on Tuesday after a sustained US push for the countries to unite against Iran.
The breakthrough in ending a dispute among some of the world’s top oil and gas producers that erupted in 2017 came just two weeks before Presidentelect Joe Biden takes office after pledging a new start with Tehran.
Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt signed an accord with Qatar in a mirrored concert hall in the northwestern Saudi town of Al Ula during a summit of Gulf Cooperation Council leaders, bringing the regional split to an end — at least on paper.
The reconciliation takes on greater significance given the impending changing of the guard in Washington. While President Donald Trump led an offensive to weaken Iran through sanctions, Mr Biden has pledged to engage diplomatically with the Islamic Republic if it first returns to the terms of the 2015 nuclear deal.
The states were able to find a “resolution to all areas of difference”, and agreed to a “restoration of all diplomatic ties”, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan told reporters on Tuesday. “It will be a strong and important foundation to the future of the region and its stability.”
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the kingdom’s de-facto ruler, said Gulf leaders needed to “unify our efforts to advance our region, and face the challenges that surround us — especially the challenges represented by Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missiles programmes.”
Qatar’s ruler Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani landed in Saudi Arabia to a warm embrace from Prince Mohammed, the kingdom’s de facto ruler, his first visit since the 2017 falling out that cut trade, travel and diplomatic ties.
Saudi Arabia reopened its airspace and land and sea borders to Qatar on Monday, a key breakthrough. Qatar is located on a small peninsula whose only land border is with Saudi Arabia.
Prince Mohammed met Sheikh Tamim at the airport in Al Ula, where the two men — both wearing masks — hugged. It was the only physical contact as other leaders maintained social distance.
UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash wrote on Twitter that a “shining new page” was beginning, and Prince Mohammed said “courageous steps” had been taken.
“I participated alongside our brothers in the Al Ula summit to heal the rift,” Qatar’s Sheikh Tamim tweeted after the reconciliation talks. “We all hope for a better future for the region.”
While the accord was a major step, observes say it remains unclear how long the reconciliation will last.