Special to WorldTribune.com

ABU DHABI — Qatar, after nearly 20 years of rivalry, appears to have
followed its Gulf Arab allies in acknowledging the leadership of Saudi
Arabia.

Qatar’s new emir, Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, selected Saudi Arabia for
his first official foreign visit since he was appointed leader of the Gulf
Cooperation Council emirate in June 2013.

Arab diplomatic sources said the one-day visit on Aug. 2 marked an unprecedented gesture to recognize Saudi regional leadership.

“The symbolism of this visit cannot be exaggerated,” a diplomat said. “This would never have been possible under [Tamim’s father] Hamad.”

Under Tamim, who rose to power on June 25, Qatar has sought to reconcile with Saudi Arabia as well as other regional rivals. The 33-year-old emir has withdrawn Qatar as the lead supplier of the Sunni revolt in Syria as well as the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt.

The official Qatar News Agency said Tamim met spent his time in Mecca,
where he met King Abdullah and Crown Prince Salman. Saudi Arabia was one of
the first countries to welcome Tamim’s ascent in wake of decades of strained
relations with the outgoing Hamad. Hamad accused Saudi Arabia of engineering
a failed coup in the mid-1990s.

“Talks during the meeting dealt with the existing fraternal relations
between the two countries and ways of developing them in various fields,”
QNA said. “The meeting also discussed a number of regional and international
issues of common concern, particularly the latest developments in the
region.”

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