UAE sends letter to UN Security Council on Qatar aviation threat
Intercept of UAE civilian aircraft by Qatari fighter jets puts the lives of civilians at risk, the UAE contends
The UAE has complained to the UN Security Council after Qatar put the security and safety of its civil aviation at risk.
In a letter to the Council, the UAE delegation said that on January 15 and March 26, Qatar put the lives of civilians at risk when its fighter jets came dangerously close to civil aircraft on scheduled routine flights on international routes, Al Arabiya Television reported. The UAE deplored in the letter that Qatar continued to commit irresponsible acts that threatened civilian flights by Emirati aircraft.
On Monday, the UAE filed a formal complaint with the International Civil Aviation Organisation ( ICAO) following repeated incidents that saw Qatari fighter jets intercept Emirati civilian aircraft during regular, scheduled flights.
Saif Mohammad Al Suwaidi, Director- General of the General Civil Aviation Authority ( GCAA), said the UAE filed a detailed complaint under Article 54 of the Chicago Convention that takes into account the national interests of member states of the ICAO, the UAE news agency reported.
“Such aggressive actions by Qatar against UAE civilian aircraft are deliberate violations of international covenants and conventions governing civil aviation and are a threat to the safety of civil aviation.”
“The UAE outright rejects these acts,” Al Suwaidi was quoted as saying.
Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt cut off their diplomatic and trade ties with Qatar on June 5 last year after they charged it with funding extremists and supporting terrorism.
The four countries issued a list of 13 demands and asked Qatar to implement them. However, Qatar rejected the demands.
Kuwait, amember of the Gulf Cooperation Council ( GCC) that also comprises Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, has been mediating in the worst crisis to hit the alliance since it was established in 1981.
However, no breakthrough or incremental success has been achieved and there is no solution to the crisis in sight.
In February, Kuwait hosted a Gulf conference in an attempt to bring the sides together.
The foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia and Bahrain said that Qatar was aware of what it should do to solve the crisis that has hit the Gulf.
“The solution to the crisis lies with the brothers in Qatar. They know best what they must do,” Adel Al Jubeir, Saudi foreign minister, said at the time.
“The position of the Kingdom [ of Saudi Arabia] and the other three countries is clear. Our principles are no to terrorism, no to its financing, no to support of extremism and hatred, and no to interfere in the affairs of other countries.” he said.
“These are principles that the countries of theworld agree upon, and we expect the brothers in Qatar to respond to our demands and proposals,” he added.