In the face of mounting tensions between the US and Iran, with repercussions across the region, Saudi Arabia is hosting two emergency summits in Makkah on Thursday, one with Arab League leaders and the other with members of the Gulf Co-operation Council. A third meeting with members of the Organisation for Islamic Co-operation will follow on Friday. Top of the agenda will be Iran's destabilising behaviour, which threatens the whole region, from its ties with Hezbollah in Lebanon to its support of Houthi rebels in Yemen. Leaders will be discussing Tehran's latest bout of aggression, launched under the weight of punitive US sanctions and in retaliation for the US pullout from the nuclear deal. Houthi rebels attacked a Saudi pipeline and Iran-backed militias launched a rocket at Baghdad's Green Zone earlier this month. The sabotage of four tankers off the coast of Fujairah in the UAE – which US national security adviser John Bolton today blamed on Iranian naval mines – will also be among the chief concerns of the summits.
These meetings are an opportunity for the Arab world to stand united in the face of aggression. The nations convening in Makkah have strong historic and cultural bonds, even if they do not always concur on how to deal with threats. Iraq is expected to attend, despite its close ties with Iran. Qatar has been invited to the talks, even though the two-year boycott by the Arab quartet continues. Meanwhile, Hezbollah’s presence in the Lebanese government has prevented its leaders from taking a stand against Iran. The fragile stability of these two countries relies on maintaining good relations with both Washington and Tehran. But at a time when Iran is threatening to destabilise the whole region, a firm stance is needed to prevent further incursions. This is a time for Arab leaders to set aside their differences and express solidarity as those most affected by American-Iranian tensions.
But Arab countries must also be able to count on their western allies to provide support. In this regard, Mr Bolton’s current visit to Abu Dhabi sends a strong message. He reaffirmed that the US, the UAE and Saudi Arabia were “on the same page” about the threat of Iranian weapons and made a point of visiting the UAE capital to discuss the next steps. Diplomatic talks are essential to de-escalate the situation and Mr Trump has repeatedly said he would be ready to sit down at the negotiating table with Tehran – an offer that Iran has shown no interest in reciprocating.
The meetings in Makkah should not be treated as a mere photo opportunity. They can and should be used to reaffirm strong ties, decide a course of action and play a pivotal role in de-escalating a dangerous situation.
If you go...
Etihad Airways flies from Abu Dhabi to Kuala Lumpur, from about Dh3,600. Air Asia currently flies from Kuala Lumpur to Terengganu, with Berjaya Hotels & Resorts planning to launch direct chartered flights to Redang Island in the near future. Rooms at The Taaras Beach and Spa Resort start from 680RM (Dh597).
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Water waste
In the UAE’s arid climate, small shrubs, bushes and flower beds usually require about six litres of water per square metre, daily. That increases to 12 litres per square metre a day for small trees, and 300 litres for palm trees.
Horticulturists suggest the best time for watering is before 8am or after 6pm, when water won't be dried up by the sun.
A global report published by the Water Resources Institute in August, ranked the UAE 10th out of 164 nations where water supplies are most stretched.
The Emirates is the world’s third largest per capita water consumer after the US and Canada.
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