In an effort to resolve a three-year-long embargo against Qatar, the
Gulf states have signed an agreement on regional “solidarity and stability”
at a summit, Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said on Tuesday, AFP
reported.
“These efforts helped us reach the agreement of the Al-Ula
statement that will be signed at this summit, where we affirm our Gulf, Arab
and Islamic solidarity and stability,” he told the meeting, thanking the
United States and Kuwait for their mediation.
Two documents were signed at the summit, the Al-Ula declaration, named
after the Saudi city where the summit was held, and a final communiqué. The
contents of the documents were not made public immediately
“There is a desperate need today to unite our efforts to promote
our region and to confront challenges that surround us, especially the threats
posed by the Iranian regime’s nuclear and ballistic missile programme and its
plans for sabotage and destruction,” he added.
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The deal raised hopes for ending the bitter impasse as Saudi announced
the opening of its borders to Doha, despite lingering enmity between the
neighbours.
Saudi Arabia led a coalition of countries in the Gulf and beyond that
cut ties and transport links with Qatar in June 2017, charging that it was too
close to Iran and backed radical Islamist groups — allegations Doha has always
denied.