This refers to Khalaf Ahmad Al-Habtoor’s very timely article “Gulf economic unity is long overdue.” (Nov. 21) The GCC countries should give a serious thought toward formation of the economic cooperation bloc and the idea of formation of United Gulf States. This is a very good idea which will reap long-term benefits.

Al-Habtoor is a prominent public figure not just in the UAE but also in the whole Arab world. His suggestions therefore hold water and deserves to be discussed among GCC members at highest level.

The GCC countries have the advantage of having considerably young leaders who are educated and understand the significance of unity among neighboring nations.

The Gulf countries have spent enough fund in educating the population. Besides, they have abundance of natural resources. Therefore, the very idea of a United Gulf States, propounded by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman, will give them a voice on the global level, which is a road map for a prominent economic global power.

The idea will succeed as the region is bound by common language, culture, heritage, faith and traditions, besides they all have nearly the same problems, issues and adversaries.

Once United Gulf States is formed, they will have a big say in OPEC as Saudi Arabia, Qatar and UAE are major oil-producing nations and their combined stand can reap long-term economic benefits with increased diplomatic say at global platforms.

Sir,The s igning of agreements on last Tuesday at Al Ula in Saudi Arabia for full restoration of diplomatic and other relations between Qatar and other Gulf nations ,who had severed its ties with Qatar in mid-2017, is a most significant and historical event in recent time, it lifted embargo and eased the restriction on Qatar by its Arab neighbours,they have also agreed to open Saudi Arabia's border and Airspace to Qatar,

Resumption of restriction will benefit/revive economy specially in transportation,travel and tourism industry especially for Qatar as a lot of people from Eastern part of Saudi Arabia travel to Qatar particularly during the weekend for holidays,but Qatar Airways will be the biggest beneficiary ,as the lifting of the airspace blockade will lead to fuel and cost savings,

It is seen as a key step to revive the economic ties between Qatar and Saudi Arabia, and other Arab Neighbours b ut normalisation of relations will Overall the economies of both the countries would stand to benefit ,it will also revive Qatar's non Oil economy.

Given the unique social fabric of the GCC countries with cross border ties of marriages and blood,GCC countries are inter -connected by common heritage,Shared Arab destinies,boundaries,religion, language,culture,Dress,history, trade, inter-marriages and many other things,we will find many persons /companies are having business, working and studying in each other country without any work/residency permit, hence resumption of travel and easing of other restriction is most welcome,

Infact western nations took advantage of this crisis to their maximum benefits.

All Gulf Rulers are highly matured and experienced leaders and they want stability and prosperity in GULF, hence this decision by them is praiseworthy and will bring prosperity,stability and peace.

It is an indicator of happy 2021.

I fully agree with the column written by Khalaf Al-Habtoor (“Gulf states are the Arab nation’s backbone,” Jan. 17). He is not only a prominent Emirati businessman, but a leading elder statesman of the entire Arab world whose views are well appreciated and respected throughout the region.

Egypt is the heart and intellectual mind of the Arab world. It has the Arab world’s oldest university, Al-Azhar, and is renowned for top-class educational institutes with highly educated people who have excelled in all fields. Egypt is renowned for its tourism industry, and its capital Cairo was one of the Top 3 continually inhabited cities of the Ottoman Empire, along with Aleppo and Constantinople.

I remember in 1971-72, when the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was just formed, its government greatly emphasized on education and Egyptian teachers were recruited in large numbers to provide a good education to youngsters, many of them have excelled in different fields. It is a win-win situation. Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries have a large surplus funds that they saved up during the oil boom, while Egypt has 100 million strong people. It needs investments to boost its sagging economy, and GCC funds can play a constructive role in this regard. People from GCC countries prefer Egypt as their second home; every year they go there on holidays with their families, especially Saudis. People-to-people relations between Egyptians and Gulf nationals are excellent.

It is time that elder statesmen like Mr Al-Habtoor and other like-minded people from GCC countries take the initiative, use their old contacts with Egyptian friends and see to it that Egypt is not distanced from the people of the Arabian Gulf.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi is a mature leader who understands the importance of good relations with GCC countries. We all hope Egypt will read the writing on the wall, that it is best to maintain friendship with GCC countries for progress, prosperity and stability.

Referring to Parisa Hafezi’s column “Iran after Rafsanjani” (Jan. 11), the death of Iran’s reformist former President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani is sad. He was the most powerful cleric in Iran.

His death is a big blow to reformists in the country, as he was considered a moderate. His death comes at a crucial time, following the landmark Iran nuclear deal and before Donald Trump becomes US president. A volatile world order may be on the horizon.

Rafsanjani was one of the voices of political realism and moderation in Iran, who played a very important role in the election of reformist President Mohammed Khatami. As oil prices have plummeted, so have the oil revenues of all Gulf countries and Iran, on which their economies are based.

It is time for Iran to reduce its military expenditure and its policy of confrontation. This will help Arab countries, especially those in the Gulf, do the same and spend money on their citizens’ welfare, improving basic infrastructure, health care and education.

It is time for Iran to work toward peace in the Middle East. Only regional players, not outsiders, should work together in this regard.

Sir,Apropos "Saudi fears Challenge" (DH,June,12),In a coordinated move, serving of Diplomatic ties by Saudi Arabia, Egypt,U.A.E,Bahrain, Yemen and Maldives with the gas rich nation,Qatar will have far reaching consequences not only in G.C.C countries but all of west Asia.

The Embargo will push Qatar towards Iran and Turkey, the later has already assured deployment of its troops in Qatari soil.

It is hoped the mediation efforts by Emir of Kuwait will restore the brotherly ties.