- Emirati citizens will be allowed to travel to Lebanon starting May 7 after a ban was lifted following a visit by Lebanese President Joseph Aoun to the UAE last week, Emirates News Agency (WAM) reported on Sunday.
- UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed met with Aoun in Abu Dhabi last week to discuss the close ties between their two countries and ways to bolster relations.
- According to a joint statement issued after the meeting, both sides “agreed to allow travel for citizens by implementing necessary procedures and mechanisms to ease movement between the two countries.”
- Quoting the Emirati foreign ministry, WAM said that citizens will be required to register through the government’s Twajudi application ahead of their visit to Beirut, regardless of whether they are traveling directly through UAE airports or from any other country in the world.
- It added that this is a mandatory move and that citizens should update their travel status after returning home.
- Twajudi is a service provided by the Emirati foreign ministry that facilitates communication with UAE nationals abroad, assist them and coordinate their repatriation in case of an emergency or crisis.
- “Citizens wishing to travel are prohibited from leaving the country’s ports before completing registration,” the ministry warned in order “to avoid travel suspension of travel and legal accountability.”
- The UAE Embassy in Beirut officially resumed diplomatic activities earlier this year for the first time in over three years.
- The Lebanese foreign ministry welcomed the UAE decision, saying a statement that it looks forward to strengthening and developing ties with all Arab countries.
