Israel opens first embassy in Gulf

Israel's new foreign minister inaugurated its embassy in the United Arab Emirates yesterday and offered an olive branch to other former adversaries, saying: "We're here to stay." During his two-day visit, the first to the Gulf power by an Israeli cabinet minister since the countries established ties last year, Yair Lapid was also due to inaugurate a consulate in Dubai and sign a bilateral agreement on economic cooperation. "Israel wants peace with its neighbours - with all its neighbours. We aren't going anywhere. The Middle East is our home," Lapid said during the ribbon-cutting ceremony.