Saudi Arabia's action in lifting sanctions against Qatar is a "positive first step" towards normalized relations in the Gulf region, a UN independent human rights expert said on Thursday, urging the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain and Egypt to follow suit.
"I am encouraged by the recent decision of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to open land, sea and airspace borders with Qatar and invite Qatar's Emir to attend the Gulf Cooperation Council's (GCC) summit in Saudi Arabia, which apparently could not have happened without the support of other three countries", said Alena Douhan, UN Special Rapporteur on unilateral coercive measures and human rights.
"I also commend Kuwaiti and the United States mediation efforts", she added.
UN expert @AlenaDouhan welcomes #SaudiArabia's withdrawal of sanctions against #Qatar
