Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim exchanged a warm embrace on the tarmac at Al Ula airport after the Qatari delegation arrived for the 41st Gulf Co-operation Council summit on Tuesday.
Sheikh Tamim's attendance was another signal of moves towards reconciliation within the GCC, coming a day after Saudi Arabia reopened its borders and airspace to Qatar.
Qatar's emir is attending the GCC summit for the first time since 2017, when fellow bloc members Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain, along with Egypt, cut off ties over Doha's support for extremist groups.
Dr Anwar Gargash, the UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, said the summit at Al Ula would be a "historic" meeting "through which we restore Gulf cohesion and are keen to ensure that the security, stability and prosperity of our countries and peoples are the first priority".
"We have more work [to do] and we are [going] in the right direction," he said on Twitter on Monday after the Saudi-Qatari decision was announced.
Bahrain's Crown Prince and Prime Minister Salman bin Hamad was the first regional leader to arrive for the summit. He was followed by the Omani delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister Fahad bin Mahmoud attending on behalf of Sultan Haitham.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, the UAE Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, arrived next with a delegation that included National Security Adviser Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed; Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs; Minister of Cabinet Affairs Mohammad Al Gergawi; Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Dr Anwar Gargash; Ali Mohammed Al Shamsi, Deputy Secretary General at the Supreme National Security Council; and Sheikh Shakboot bin Nahyan, the UAE Ambassador to Saudi Arabia.
The UAE contingent was followed by the Kuwaiti delegation led by Emir Sheikh Nawaf, who said last week that he was optimistic about the meeting. The summit will bring GCC leaders together to strengthen their solidarity against the challenges in the region, he said.
All the delegations were received by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
US President Donald Trump's senior adviser, Jared Kushner, is also expected to attend the summit, according to a US official.
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What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE
Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.
Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.
Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.
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Important questions to consider
1. Where on the plane does my pet travel?
There are different types of travel available for pets:
- Manifest cargo
- Excess luggage in the hold
- Excess luggage in the cabin
Each option is safe. The feasibility of each option is based on the size and breed of your pet, the airline they are traveling on and country they are travelling to.
2. What is the difference between my pet traveling as manifest cargo or as excess luggage?
If traveling as manifest cargo, your pet is traveling in the front hold of the plane and can travel with or without you being on the same plane. The cost of your pets travel is based on volumetric weight, in other words, the size of their travel crate.
If traveling as excess luggage, your pet will be in the rear hold of the plane and must be traveling under the ticket of a human passenger. The cost of your pets travel is based on the actual (combined) weight of your pet in their crate.
3. What happens when my pet arrives in the country they are traveling to?
As soon as the flight arrives, your pet will be taken from the plane straight to the airport terminal.
If your pet is traveling as excess luggage, they will taken to the oversized luggage area in the arrival hall. Once you clear passport control, you will be able to collect them at the same time as your normal luggage. As you exit the airport via the ‘something to declare’ customs channel you will be asked to present your pets travel paperwork to the customs official and / or the vet on duty.
If your pet is traveling as manifest cargo, they will be taken to the Animal Reception Centre. There, their documentation will be reviewed by the staff of the ARC to ensure all is in order. At the same time, relevant customs formalities will be completed by staff based at the arriving airport.
4. How long does the travel paperwork and other travel preparations take?
This depends entirely on the location that your pet is traveling to. Your pet relocation compnay will provide you with an accurate timeline of how long the relevant preparations will take and at what point in the process the various steps must be taken.
In some cases they can get your pet ‘travel ready’ in a few days. In others it can be up to six months or more.
5. What vaccinations does my pet need to travel?
Regardless of where your pet is traveling, they will need certain vaccinations. The exact vaccinations they need are entirely dependent on the location they are traveling to. The one vaccination that is mandatory for every country your pet may travel to is a rabies vaccination.
Other vaccinations may also be necessary. These will be advised to you as relevant. In every situation, it is essential to keep your vaccinations current and to not miss a due date, even by one day. To do so could severely hinder your pets travel plans.
Source: Pawsome Pets UAE
Know before you go
- Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
- If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
- By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
- Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
- Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.
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