According to sources within the local intelligence services cited by Al Jadeed, seven Lebanese citizens convicted of providing financial support to the Shiite party Hezbollah may soon be released by the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The report suggests that Wafiq Safa, a senior Hezbollah official, traveled to Abu Dhabi to negotiate a potential deal, which could also facilitate progress on other regional issues. Mediation efforts have been initiated by Syria and Iraq, both of which have established friendly relations with the UAE leadership.
The crisis between the Gulf Arab states and Hezbollah originated from the conflict in Yemen, where the Shiite party supported the rebel Houthis by providing military and technical assistance. In response, Bahrain, Kuwait, UAE, and Saudi Arabia designated Hezbollah as a terrorist organization and severed trade ties with Lebanon.
Al Joumhouria observes that the trip of the Hezbollah emissary to Abu Dhabi "reflects a broader political openness between the UAE and the Shiite party." The publication speculates that this could potentially lead to further improvements in relations with Iran and a reduction in Sunni-Shia tensions in the region.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
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Based on materials from TASS