Saudi Arabia leans on Gulf states to close ranks as region boils | Reuters

Saudi Arabia leans on Gulf states to close ranks as region boils | Reuters:



"Gulf Arab states have shelved a bitter row among themselves, hoping to repair an alliance that has been sorely tested by chaos in the Middle East and the prospect of an Iranian nuclear deal that could tilt the regional balance of power toward their old foe Tehran.



Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain agreed at a meeting on Sunday to return their ambassadors to Qatar, signaling an end to an eight-month dispute over Doha's backing of Islamist militants in Syria and elsewhere and its promotion of Arab Spring revolts.



An official photograph showed Qatar's youthful emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, kissing the head of Saudi King Abdullah, who is over 90, in reconciliation at the meeting of Gulf Arab rulers in Riyadh. The king was the driving force behind the closing of ranks, analysts and a diplomat said."



'via Blog this'