Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed to lead delegation to signing ceremony of UAE-Israeli peace accord

UAE-Israeli peace accord will be signed on September 15

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation. Wam    

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, will lead a high-ranking UAE delegation to Washington for the signing ceremony of the historic UAE-Israeli peace accord.

The ceremony will be held on September 15 at the invitation of US President Donald Trump and in the presence of the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu.

The peace accord was agreed to on August 13 between the UAE, the US and Israel.

Also known as the Abraham Accord, it  was announced last month in a three-nation statement issued during the visit to the UAE by a top US-Israeli delegation, led by Jared Kushner, senior adviser to Mr Trump.

They said it was "a courageous step towards a more stable, integrated and prosperous Middle East".

The three said the accord promised "new bridges that will serve to de-escalate existing conflicts and prevent future conflicts".

Speaking to The National in Abu Dhabi after he arrived on the first commercial flight between the UAE and Israel in August, Mr Kushner said the accord inspired people "to see that peace is possible".

As part of the accord, Israel will halt annexation of Palestinian territories in exchange for establishing diplomatic ties with the UAE.