Middle East

Saudi, Qatari leaders hug ahead of Gulf summit

Saudi Arabia, Qatar agree to reopen airspace, border, in a move signaling end to years-long Gulf crisis

05.01.2021 - Update : 05.01.2021
Saudi, Qatari leaders hug ahead of Gulf summit Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani (L) is welcomed by Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman (R) ahead of the 41st Summit of Gulf Cooperation Council in AlUla, Saudi Arabia on January 05, 2021. ( Royal Council of Saudi Arabia - Anadolu Agency )

ANKARA

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman warmly hugged Qatar’s emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani upon arrival in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday to attend the annual Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) summit.


A video clip aired by the official Saudi Press Agency showed bin Salman warmly greeting the Qatari leader as Tamim arrived in Al-Ula city in northwestern Saudi Arabia for the GCC summit.


On Monday, Saudi Arabia and Qatar agreed to reopen airspace and sea and land border, in a move signaling an end to the years-long Gulf dispute between Doha and its neighbors.


In 2017, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Egypt imposed a blockade on Qatar on accusations of supporting terrorism and meddling in their internal affairs.


Doha has vehemently denied the allegations, accusing its neighbors of attacking its sovereignty.


*Ibrahim Mukhtar contributed to this report from Ankara

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