Gulf states sign solidarity and stability agreement in Saudi Arabia

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The GCC states signed an agreement of solidarity and stability in Al Ula in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday.

"The Al Ula Accord emphasises Gulf, Arab and Islamic solidarity and stability as well as the strengthening of friendship and brotherhood between our countries and people," Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said.

The solidarity agreement was signed during the 41st session of the GCC Supreme Council, which was convened by the leaders of the GCC states. The contents of the accord were not immediately released.

Prince Mohammed embraced Qatar's emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, on the airport tarmac of Al-Ula, indicating an end to a three-year boycott of Qatar and reconciliation with Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bahrain and the UAE.

After the signing of the agreement, Mohammed bin Salman said that the Gulf states must show unity to counter Iran's regional interference.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai said that the 41st GCC Summit renews trust in cooperation between the leaders and brothers of the member countries.

“The journey of cooperation is the legacy of the people,” Sheikh Mohammed said on his Twitter account. He said that 40 years ago, in 1981, the founder of the UAE, the late Sheikh Zayed, hosted the first summit of the GCC in Abu Dhabi.

Ahead of the gathering, Kuwait had announced that Saudi Arabia, which along with allies boycotted Doha in mid-2017, would reopen its airspace and borders to Qatar.

In 2017, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt cut diplomatic and trade links with Qatar, after accusing it of funding militant groups and building close ties with Iran. Qatar denies the charges.

(Writing by Seban Scaria; editing by Daniel Luiz)

seban.scaria@refinitiv.com

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