Emirate authorities have arrested Qatari intelligence elements in the UAE, Al-Khaleej newspaper reported on Wednesday

Emirate authorities have arrested Qatari intelligence elements in the UAE, Al-Khaleej newspaper reported on Wednesday.

A source from the UAE quoted by the Arabic daily, Al Khaleej, claimed that “the arrested Qatari men in the UAE were intelligence officials” whose arrest “confirmed that the neighboring Qatar is still detached from respecting the internal affairs of her neighbors thereby breaching the Riyadh agreement signed early this year.”

Al Khaleej quoted the source as saying that the available information on the spy agents contradicted with what the Qatari paper, Al Arab, had said that they were on a tourism trip.

Al Khaleej further quoted the UAE sources as dismissing Al Arab's claim because “hundreds of Gulf citizens enter the UAE or move out daily without any encumbrance.”

“For that case, Qatar has to come out clearly and open in the execution of her foreign policies whether within the Gulf countries or in any other Arab nation other than opting for underhand methods that have eroded confidence in her political expedition,” Al Khaleej quoted the UAE source.

The source said that the recent congratulatory message sent by the Qatari Emir to the leaders in the GCC and other Arab nations meant to break the isolation Qatar is facing but the message “does not reflect the reality on the ground which is exemplified by the latest arrest of spies in the land of the UAE.”

The source further said: “It is, therefore, natural for the UAE to take strict measures in matters pertaining to espionage or threats to the country's security and stability.