The meeting between Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Riyadh on Friday has been seen as a significant step towards resolving the differences that have emerged between the two Gulf states. Against the backdrop of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, which poses a grave threat to the stability of the Middle East, the leaders sought to reaffirm their strong alliance and cooperate in addressing the regional challenges.

In recent years, public meetings between the two leaders have been scarce, as both Saudi Arabia and the UAE pursued their own interests and competed for regional influence. However, recognizing the importance of unity and solidarity in the face of mounting tensions, they underscored their commitment to working together in pursuit of shared goals. The occasion for the meeting was Sheikh Mohammed's attendance at the summit between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Riyadh.

The GCC and Asean countries released a joint statement calling for a durable ceasefire, the immediate release of civilian hostages and detainees, and advocating for a two-state solution to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This unified stance reflects the concerns of Gulf states regarding the potential involvement of Iran in the escalating conflict and emphasizes the urgent need for de-escalation. The leaders of Saudi Arabia and the UAE have been actively engaging with Western allies and Israel to seek their support in calming tensions in Gaza and easing the humanitarian crisis resulting from the blockade on the strip.

The potential destabilization of the region and the threat to national security are of utmost concern for both countries, prompting them to seek collaborative solutions. This meeting follows a previous interaction between the two leaders when Prince Mohammed visited Abu Dhabi last year to express his condolences on the passing of Sheikh Khalifa, the UAE's former president. They also met on the sidelines of the G20 summit in November, highlighting their commitment to maintaining a strong partnership and ensuring stability in the region.

The latest meeting between Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Riyadh signifies a breakthrough in the Saudi-UAE relationship. By setting aside their differences and coming together to address the critical situation in the Middle East, they have demonstrated the importance of regional cooperation and the pursuit of shared interests.