Israel's head invites UAE crown prince to visit Israel

By Said Amuri

JERUSALEM (AA) - Israel's President Reuven Rivlin has invited the UAE leader to visit the country in the aftermath of a deal to normalize diplomatic ties, Israeli media reported Friday.

Rivlin asked Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to pay a visit to the Jewish state saying that the new agreement was a turning point.

"The agreement between Israel and the UAE is an important and strategic milestone for new opportunities in our region. I hope that this step will also lead to strengthening trust between us and the peoples of the region, and to a broad-based and stable understanding among us all," Rivlin said on Twitter.

Israel and the UAE reached a historic deal Thursday that will restore diplomatic ties between them. The Emirates became the third Arab country to recognize Israel after Jordan and Egypt.

While the deal has been welcomed by some nations, it has sparked tremendous outrage in most Muslim countries.

* Writing and contribution by Jeyhun Aliyev from Ankara