UAE’s conflict with Qatar 'over', says official

The United Arab Emirates’ celebration of the Qatar National Day confirms that the dispute between Abu Dhabi and Doha is over, the UAE’s diplomatic advisor Anwar Gargash said yesterday.

“The UAE’s celebration of Qatar National Day carries positive connotations and messages that transcend fraternal traditions among the Arab Gulf states,” Gargash said on Twitter.

Pointing to Abu Dhabi’s strategy in dealing with regional challenges, the official explained that the Gulf state intended to “end differences, and strengthen cooperation with Arab governments in the coming decades.”

READ:Saudi’s MBS on first visit to Qatar since 2017 blockade

On Friday, the world’s tallest building Burj Khalifa and other iconic Emirati buildings were lit up in the colours of the Qatari flag, in celebration of the Gulf country’s national day, which takes place on 18 December every year.

Saudi Arabia, Oman and Kuwait were reported to have taken similar moves. Egypt too, lit up its Cairo Tower with the colours of the Qatari flag on Friday.

The UAE joined Egypt, Saudi and Bahrain to sever ties with Qatar in June 2017. The siege ended at the start of this year with diplomatic missions returning to each others’ capitals. The UAE has, however, not appointed an envoy to Doha.