Top diplomats of Oman, UAE discuss regional stability amid tensions over Yemen

By Muhammed Ata and Rania Abushamala

ISTANBUL (AA) – The foreign ministers of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Oman held talks on Monday to discuss joint Arab action and strengthen regional stability amid rising tensions in Yemen.

A UAE Foreign Ministry statement said Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed and his Omani counterpart, Badr Albusaidi, met in Abu Dhabi to discuss ways of addressing regional developments in a way that contributes to “forge consensus and develop effective approaches to strengthen collective security and regional stability.”

Discussions also focused on the need to safeguard the shared interests of all parties, in a way that “fulfils the aspirations of the region's peoples,” the statement said.

According to the ministry, the two sides also reviewed the path of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and joint Gulf action, as well as the continuation of bilateral and collective cooperation programs.

The talks came amid a rift between the UAE and Saudi Arabia over Abu Dhabi’s role in Yemen.

Last week, Saudi Arabia accused the UAE of pushing forces of the Southern Transitional Council (STC) to carry out military operations along the kingdom’s southern border. Abu Dhabi denied the accusation.

Last month, STC forces captured the eastern provinces of Hadhramaut and al-Mahra, but government forces on Sunday reclaimed full control of the two regions, which account for nearly half of Yemen’s territory and share borders with Saudi Arabia.