The UAE has released a Qatari military vessel that it seized a week ago after it entered Emirati waters.
Four military personnel who were on board the ship were also released. They included two Qatari sailors – First Lt Mohammed Al Heil and Lance Cpl Saeed Al Marri.
The two other crew members were Lance Cpl Mohammed Al Beltaji, a Palestinian, and Pte Fayez Talkoum, an Indian.
The release of the ship was announced by the UAE's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation on Monday.
The ministry said the vessel, flying the Qatari flag, entered the UAE's territorial waters on April 30.
The UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Bahrain cut diplomatic ties with Qatar in July 2017 because of its support for terrorism and Iran.
The Arab Quartet imposed wide-ranging punitive measures which included banning Qatari vessels from their regional waters and planes from their airspace.
Last year, the four countries filed an airspace dispute to the UN's International Court of Justice against Doha in response to at least five incidents of Qatari jets flying within hundreds of metres of UAE civilian aircraft over another country's airspace.
The UAE's General Civil Aviation Authority said such manoeuvres left just seconds to avoid a collision, endangering the lives of those on board.
Muslim Council of Elders condemns terrorism on religious sites
The Muslim Council of Elders has strongly condemned the criminal attacks on religious sites in Britain.
It firmly rejected “acts of terrorism, which constitute a flagrant violation of the sanctity of houses of worship”.
“Attacking places of worship is a form of terrorism and extremism that threatens peace and stability within societies,” it said.
The council also warned against the rise of hate speech, racism, extremism and Islamophobia. It urged the international community to join efforts to promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
IF YOU GO
The flights
FlyDubai flies direct from Dubai to Skopje in five hours from Dh1,314 return including taxes. Hourly buses from Skopje to Ohrid take three hours.
The tours
English-speaking guided tours of Ohrid town and the surrounding area are organised by Cultura 365; these cost €90 (Dh386) for a one-day trip including driver and guide and €100 a day (Dh429) for two people.
The hotels
Villa St Sofija in the old town of Ohrid, twin room from $54 (Dh198) a night.
St Naum Monastery, on the lake 30km south of Ohrid town, has updated its pilgrims' quarters into a modern 3-star hotel, with rooms overlooking the monastery courtyard and lake. Double room from $60 (Dh 220) a night.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Mamo Year it started: 2019 Founders: Imad Gharazeddine, Asim Janjua Based: Dubai, UAE Number of employees: 28 Sector: Financial services Investment: $9.5m Funding stage: Pre-Series A Investors: Global Ventures, GFC, 4DX Ventures, AlRajhi Partners, Olive Tree Capital, and prominent Silicon Valley investors. Essentials
The flights
Etihad and Emirates fly direct from the UAE to Delhi from about Dh950 return including taxes.
The hotels
Double rooms at Tijara Fort-Palace cost from 6,670 rupees (Dh377), including breakfast.
Doubles at Fort Bishangarh cost from 29,030 rupees (Dh1,641), including breakfast. Doubles at Narendra Bhawan cost from 15,360 rupees (Dh869). Doubles at Chanoud Garh cost from 19,840 rupees (Dh1,122), full board. Doubles at Fort Begu cost from 10,000 rupees (Dh565), including breakfast.
The tours
Amar Grover travelled with Wild Frontiers. A tailor-made, nine-day itinerary via New Delhi, with one night in Tijara and two nights in each of the remaining properties, including car/driver, costs from £1,445 (Dh6,968) per person.
