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  Jordan Jordan did not welcome or condemn the deal but said its impact will depend on Israel's actions.  Reacting to the decision, Foreign Minister Ayman al-Safadi said that "the impact of the deal on peace efforts is linked to the actions Israel will take". He added: "[Jordan backs] any real effort that contributes to achieving comprehensive and just peace that ends Israeli occupation and meets the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people."

  Oman Oman has welcomed the agreement in an official statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. A ministry spokesperson expressed "the Sultanate’s support for the decision by the United Arab Emirates regarding relations with Israel within the framework of its historic joint declaration with the United States and Israel."

(CNN) Although humans have yet to step foot on Mars, the  road to the Red Planet  has never been busier. Three countries -- the UAE, US and China -- are embarking on missions this summer, taking advantage of the biennial window when Earth and Mars are closest together. The  Emirates Mars Mission , which aims to capture the most comprehensive picture yet of the Red Planet's atmosphere, will be the first of the trio to lift off. With its planned July 15 launch delayed by weather conditions, it is now set to launch from Japan later this week; in doing so, it will make history as the Arab world's first interplanetary mission. "This is the golden age of space in the UAE," explained Fatma Hussain Lootah, manager of the team's instrument science section. "This is the time we decided to stand out in maybe a sector nobody expected us to develop in, because it's knowledge-based, it's very science-based." The Mars Hope Probe and ...