Briefly

IRAN

Top security official set to visit Abu Dhabi

Iran's Supreme National Security Council secretary Ali Shamkhani will visit the United Arab Emirates on Thursday, Nour News, which is affiliated with the Iranian top security body, reported on Wednesday. His visit to Abu Dhabi comes at a time of growing rapprochement between Iran and Gulf countries. Last week, Shamkhani took part in talks in Beijing that resulted in Saudi Arabia and Iran resuming diplomatic ties after they were suspended in 2016. The UAE sent an ambassador back to Iran in September, more than six years after the Gulf Arab state downgraded ties with the Islamic republic. The UAE has business and trade ties with Iran stretching back more than a century, with the Dubai emirate long being one of Iran's main links to the outside world.

PAKISTAN

Forces withdraw from around ex-PM's home

Pakistani security forces withdrew from around Imran Khan's home on Wednesday, putting a halt to clashes that had erupted after police tried to arrest the former prime minister for not showing up in a case against him related to selling state gifts. Police and other security personnel were seen leaving the Lahore neighborhood where Khan's home is located. Khan was then seen standing outside his home, wearing a transparent gas mask and talking to supporters. Earlier, security forces had fired tear gas and water cannons at hundreds of Khan's supporters who had cordoned off his home in an effort to prevent his arrest.

Agencies via Xinhua