Exuberance sweeps across GCC after signing Ula communique

Riyadh: Delight knew no bounds across the Arab and Islamic countries as Gulf leaders signed a solidarity and stability agreement in Saudi Arabia as they met for the Gulf Cooperation Council annual summit on Tuesday.

Saudi Arabia on Monday announced the reopening of land borders with Qatar after a three and a half years hiatus that saw the kingdom, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain sever diplomatic and trade ties and impose a land, sea and air embargo on the Gulf state.

Prime Minister and Vice President of the UAE and ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum shared the optimism of his people bear towards the move.

"We renew our gratitude to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for hosting this successful summit. We renew our confidence in the journey of the GCC countries. We renew our optimism that the coming years will bring stability, security, safety, work and achievement that will serve our peoples and contribute to the stability of our region," he posted on Twitter.

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who thanked the United States and Kuwait for their mediation, said that there was a desperate need for a unified Gulf region, after signing the deal.

Pakistan on Tuesday welcomed the reconciliation moves and said that the steps by the GCC would contribute to resolving "outstanding issues between the countries of the organization persisting for almost four years."

Turkey also appreciated the resolution and praised efforts by Kuwait and other international players to end the crisis.

The Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) and the Egypt based Muslim Brotherhood welcomed the efforts and called for unity and an end to all disputes among the parties.

Hamas congratulated the GCC for the progress of the reconciliation efforts, which resulted in the opening of the airspace and the borders between Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

The movement said in a statement, "We hope that the Gulf crisis will end completely, and the unity and solidarity of the Gulf will be restored, which will serve the desired unity of the Arab front."

It called for "launching the widest regional dialogue to end the various factors and elements of the dispute between all Arab and Islamic countries in the region."

Afghanistan's Taliban also welcomed the deal and described it as "an appropriate step not only for the GCC countries but for the entire Islamic world."

Dr. M. Naeem, the spokesperson of the group, said that all countries should resolve differences through dialogue.

Qatar's capital Doha witnessed the jubilation of the people as the announcement over the end of the blockade came. The people were seen waving Qatari flags and chanting praises for their leader Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani.

The US and the European Union also welcomed the reconciliation among the neighbours and expressed hope that the deal will lead to resumption of full cooperation within the regional grouping.