The UAE has filed a complaint with the United Nations Council against Qatar for threatening the safety of civil aviation and endangering the lives of passengers.
According to the complaint, on January 15 and March 26 this year, Qatari fighter jets closely approached civilian planes, risking the lives of the passengers on board.
“It is regrettable that Qatar continues to carry out irresponsible actions that threaten the safety of civilian flights carrying the flag of the United Arab Emirates,” the letter added.
The UAE had earlier in the week filed an official complaint against Qatar with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director-General of the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) said that the UAE had filed a detailed complaint as per Article No. 54 of the Chicago Convention, which takes into account the national interests of member states of the ICAO.
“These aggressive actions by Qatar against UAE civilian aircraft are considered deliberate violations of international covenants and conventions governing civil aviation and are a threat to the safety of civil aviation. The UAE outright rejects these acts,” he added.
Suwaidi noted that these provocations are unjustified and place the safety of passengers and crew members at heightened risk.
On a different note, a senior Gulf source told Asharq Al-Awsat that the Anti-Terrorism Quartet (Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bahrain and the UAE) were still committed to resolve the Qatari crisis through the “Gulf house” and through the Kuwaiti mediation. The source said that the Camp David summit, which is to be held in May, won't touch on the crisis with Qatar, but is expected to follow up Iran’s destabilizing activities in the region.
