Saudi Arabia, Qatar and other Gulf countries sign U.S.-brokered deal to ease Gulf crisis
Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries signed an agreement on January 5 agreeing to end the three-year embargo against their neighbor Qatar and to resolve the Gulf crisis.
The agreement was signed during the Gulf Cooperation Council summit in the Saudi city of al-Ula. Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received Qatar’s leader Emir Sheikh Tamim Al Thani for the first time since the start of the crisis, on the airport tarmac.
The two leaders hugged, and images of the warm welcome were widely shared on social media, describing it as “new beginning”. The summit was attended by the leaders of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Kuwait and Qatar.
Ahead of the summit, Saudi Arabia announced to reopen its air, land and sea borders to Qatar.
Al-Ula Declaration – unified GCC
Saudi crown prince said that the Al-Ula Declaration (The Solidarity Agreement) and the GCC summit affirms the importance of the solidarity and stability in the Gulf, Arab and Islamic countries and strengthens the bonds of friendship and brotherhood among our countries and peoples in order to serve their aspirations.
A “unified and solid Gulf Cooperation Council” that serves the security, stability, and prosperity of our countries and the region is the key priority under kingdom’s Vision 2030.
“Today, we are in utmost need to unite our efforts to advance our region and confront the challenges that surround us, particularly the threats posed by the Iranian regime’s nuclear program, its ballistic missile program, its destructive sabotage projects as well as its terrorist and sectarian activities adopted by Iran and its proxies to destabilize the security and stability in the region” he said.
U.S.-brokered deal
Jared Kushner, US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law and senior adviser, is credited with brokering the agreement that helped ease the Gulf crisis. Kushner also attended the meeting where the agreement was signed. Kushner is said to have close relationships with both Saudi and Qatari leaders. The deal was reportedly reached during Kushner’s last visit to Saudi Arabia and Qatar several weeks ago.
Saudi crown prince, in his speech, thanked the leadership of Kuwait for their efforts to “bridge the gap” as well as the endeavors of the United States and all parties that contributed to reach ‘Al-Ula Declaration’.
Deal ends three-year Qatar blockade
The Saudi-led coalition — including Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt — severed ties with Qatar in 2017 and closed their airspace and sea routes, citing Qatar’s alleged support for terror groups and relations with Iran. Qatar has repeatedly denied the accusations.
