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Qatar, UAE: countries across the world worried as the Qatar-GCC argument was forced into the World Trade Organization. Qatar took the UAE to the litigation stage of its complaint regarding the imposition of a trade embargo. The UAE has stated its intention to use the catch-all, never-before-used, National Security exception but the precedent could undermine the rules-based WTO system.
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Lebanon: Prime Minister Hariri withdrew his resignation, as he was entitled to, once back on home soil. The episode seems to have united most of the factions in Lebanon against Saudi intervention in the country. It is hard to see any gains for Saudi as a result of the recent tumult. Iran reiterated that de-arming Hezbollah was not possible but increasing the range of its missiles could be, if threatened.
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Iraq, U.S.: Harakat Hezbollah al Nujaba, a prominent Iraqi militia loyal to Iran, said that it would give up its heavy weaponry to Iraqi national forces once I.S. is beaten. Nujaba is seen as crucial in attempts to create a supply line from Tehran to Damascus. A Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives had introduced legislation aimed at designating the militia a terrorist organization.
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