Washington has welcomed the outcomes of the 41st annual summit of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the signing of the AlUla declaration, considering it a vital step towards ending the Gulf rift.
A senior White House official, speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, said that strengthening the unity of the Gulf states is of great importance to the prosperity and security of the region, and that the US stands with its partners in the GCC as they move into a new era of cooperation.
The official stated that the US President's senior advisor, Jared Kushner, played a key role in the negotiations that took place between the Arab quartet and Qatar, which led to the realization of this deal.
In mid-2017, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain cut diplomatic and trade ties with Qatar.
Saudi Arabia's decision to reopen air, land and sea borders with Qatar ahead of holding the GCC summit in AlUla was perceived as a milestone towards resolving the Gulf dispute.
Furthermore, the outcomes of the summit are expected to generate more breakthroughs and broader deals.
Kushner had participated in mediating the rapprochement of views and negotiating effective steps to achieve reconciliation. He has also played a central role in the Trump administration’s policy towards the Middle East.
He intensified his meetings with leaders of the region’s countries, explaining the importance of reconciliation to achieve Gulf unity in the face of Iran before US President Donald Trump’s term in office comes to an end.
White House sources revealed that Trump advisers had spent all day Sunday on the phone with senior officials in Arab quartet countries to overcome obstacles and reach an agreement.
Among the demands made was that Qatar drops all lawsuits it filed over the boycott.
Kushner attended the ceremony in the ancient city of AlUla along with Middle East envoy Avi Berkowitz and Brian Hook, a special State Department adviser.
