United Arab Emirates, Qatar edge toward reopening embassies

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Qatar and the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday both acknowledged they are edging closer to reopening embassies in each others’ countries after a yearslong boycott of Doha over a political dispute.

Qatar’s International Media Office said in a statement that “work is underway” to reopen embassies “as soon as possible.” The UAE said in a statement that “the activation of diplomatic ties, which will include the reopening of embassies, is under process between both countries.”

Neither statement gave an immediate date for the reopening. Reuters first reported the effort.

The UAE, as well as Bahrain, Egypt and Saudi Arabia, launched a boycott of Qatar in 2017 and blocked the country’s airline from its airspace, and also imposed other restrictions. The four nations were angered over Qatar’s ties to Islamists and Iran, as well as other allegations during President Donald Trump’s administration. The move ignited the biggest diplomatic crisis among the Gulf Arab states since Iraq invaded Kuwait in 1990.

Trump initially appeared to back the four nations, though he later hosted Qatar’s emir at the White House in 2019. Qatar, whose wealth comes from an offshore natural gas field it shares with Iran, is home to the forward headquarters of the U.S. military’s Central Command.

While Kuwait’s then-emir warned the dispute nearly reached an armed conflict, the boycott ended in 2021 just ahead of President Joe Biden taking office.

Qatar’s hosting of the 2022 FIFA World Cup saw Egypt’s president and Saudi crown prince attend the opening. In the time since, Qatar’s relations have thawed with Bahrain and the Emirates as well.

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