His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, has signed the Al Ula statement at the 41st session of the Supreme Council of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) that took place at Al-Ula in Medina, Saudi Arabia.
The Al Ula agreement is expected to lift the ongoing boycott of GCC member-states: Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, UAE and Egypt – on Qatar. More details on the text will be released press agencies soon, as per reports from Ahram Online.
In attendance on the ongoing summit are Emir Sheikh Nawaf Al Sabah of Kuwait, Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim, Oman Deputy Prime Minister Fahd bin Mahmoud, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Bahraini delegate, Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, and Dr Nayef Al Hajraf, Secretary General of the GCC.
Earlier, Sheikh Mohammed was received by Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Saudi Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, and a number of Saudi ministers and senior officials.
The Kuwait Foreign Ministry has also announced earlier that Saudi Arabia has reopened its land and air borders with Qatar as of Monday evening, January 4.
Reports from Reuters further that an official, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated that this move is a ‘breakthrough’ in the rift among the countries within the Gulf Cooperation Council.
“At the signing on the 5th, leadership from the GCC plus Egypt will be coming together to sign an agreement that will end the blockade. It’s just a massive breakthrough. It will allow for travel amongst the countries as well as goods. It will lead to more stability in the region,” said the official.
This is a developing story.
