Dec 14, 2021: The 42nd session of the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) summit is expected to strengthen ties between Qatar and the former boycotting states, experts say.

The summit, to be held in the Saudi capital Riyadh on Tuesday, is the first since Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates agreed to end their dispute with Qatar over a number of issues, including its foreign policy. It severed diplomatic ties with Doha in June 2017.

The summit comes at a time of regional concern over Iran and rising economic rivalry within the oil-producing bloc.

The Saudi crown prince toured Gulf states ahead of the summit, which comes nearly a year after Riyadh put an end to the three and half year Arab boycott of Qatar that had shattered the US-allied Gulf Cooperation Council.

Saudi Arabia and non-Gulf Egypt have re-established diplomatic relations with Doha, but the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain have not yet done so, although Abu Dhabi has tried mending fences. Anwar Gargash, a senior UAE official, said last week, “I have to admit that there are areas that will take some time, but I mean that practical, active (Gulf) cooperation is back on track. “

Saudi media say Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit is aimed at highlighting solidarity as world powers seek to restore a nuclear deal with Iran amid growing uncertainty in the Gulf about US role in the region. Between Saudi Arabia and Iran are embroiled in a feud over influence that has been played across the region in events such as the Yemen war and Lebanon, where the growing power of the Iranian-backed Hezbollah has strained Beirut’s Gulf ties.

Riyadh and Abu Dhabi, concerned about Iran’s nuclear ambitions, missile program and regional proxies, are in talks with Tehran to defuse tensions. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have deviated from their hard foreign policy, that saw them wade into Yemen and lead the boycott of Qatar, to a more conciliatory approach as they vie to lure foreign investment, and win over US President Joe Biden.

Abu Dhabi has moved faster to mend fences with Iran and Turkey while also re-engaging with Syria after forging ties with Israel last year.

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