RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Media Minister Salman Al-Dossary refuted on Wednesday allegations circulating on social media that the Kingdom has denied entry to the UAE’s National Security Adviser Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed.
“What is being circulated about the Kingdom refusing to receive His Highness Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed is incorrect. His Highness comes to the Kingdom whenever he wants without permission; it is his home and its leadership is his family,” the minister wrote on X.
Sheikh Tahnoon is the Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi and brother of the UAE’s President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed.
Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan said on Tuesday that while there had been a “difference of view” between the two countries over Yemen, their relationship was “critically important” for regional stability.
“The Kingdom is always keen on having a strong, positive relationship with the UAE as an important partner within the GCC,” he said.
He said the UAE’s withdrawal from Yemen served as a “building block” for the relationship with the Emirates to continue strong.
Last month, Yemen’s internationally recognized government asked the UAE to withdraw its forces from the country after the separatist Southern Transitional Council (STC) that it supported seized large areas in the south and east.
The Saudi-led military Coalition to Support Legitimacy in Yemen said on December 30 that it had conducted a “limited” airstrike against shipments of smuggled weapons destined to the STC.
The UAE defense ministry said it completed a full withdrawal from Yemen on January 2.