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Egypt and Bahrain are mediating efforts to resolve a diplomatic rift between the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, following tensions that began in December.
The disagreement began when Saudi Arabia accused the UAE of threatening its national security by backing Yemeni separatists involved in a brief territorial incursion.
While both countries have maintained formal ties, high-level diplomatic contacts have been absent since late December.
A Gulf official, speaking anonymously, said Bahrain is “leading mediation efforts between Saudi and the UAE to end the ongoing misunderstanding,” adding that the goal is to “bridge the gap and bring viewpoints closer.”
He clarified that the initiative is “a Bahraini effort, not a GCC effort.”
This week, Bahraini Crown Prince and Prime Minister Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa met Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh and UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed in Abu Dhabi as part of the reconciliation efforts.
Egypt has also been involved, with officials relaying messages between the two Gulf nations.
A regional source stated that the Egyptian government is playing a mediating role, conveying messages between Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
On January 5, the Saudi foreign minister reportedly met with his Egyptian counterpart, Badr Abdelatty, and President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in Cairo, before Abdelatty contacted his Emirati counterpart, Abdullah bin Zayed, to relay Saudi messages.
