BAHRAIN (AP) – The Gulf Arab island-nation of Bahrain says it welcomes the deal reached between Israel and the United Arab Emirates to establish full diplomatic relations.
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Bahrain congratulated the UAE and its leadership for reaching a deal that it said suspends Israeli annexation of Palestinian lands while “taking steps to enhance the chances for Middle East peace.”
That’s according to a statement in the state-run Bahrain News Agency on Thursday.
Bahrain, like the UAE, has long been eyeing ties with Israel and hosted a conference for the Trump administration aimed at rallying economic support for his Middle East plan unveiled last year.
Bahrain is the first Gulf Arab country to comment publicly on the UAE-Israel announcement.
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The Egyptian president has welcomed the deal between the United Arab Emirates and Israel to establish full diplomatic ties.
Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi said in a tweet that he praises the parties’ efforts to “achieve prosperity and stabilization in our region.”
He said he also spoke by phone with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan after the announcement of the UAE-Israeli relations on Thursday.
El-Sissi’s office said the Egyptian leader, whose county, along with Jordan, has active diplomatic ties with Israel, called the UAE-Israel deal “a historic peace step” that would push Mideast peace efforts forward, and help stabilize the region.
El-Sissi also hailed the halt of the Israeli annexation plans for occupied land sought by the Palestinians for their future state.
Not one for the photo album I suspect.