Gulf dispute goes to International court

The Emir of Bahrain, Sheikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, has held talks with his Qatari counterpart in an effort to defuse new tensions over a border dispute.

After their meeting in the Bahrain capital, Manama, the two leaders agreed to wait for the International Court of Justice to decide on their longstanding conflict.

The dispute centres on two islands claimed by Qatar but controlled by Bahrain since the 1930s.

A joint statement said that the two countries would resume further talks after The Hague based tribunal had passed its judgement.

Hearings in the case are due to start next week.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service