DUBAI, April 28 (Reuters) - The United Arab Emirates said on Tuesday it was quitting oil-producers’ group OPEC, as an unprecedented energy crisis triggered by the Iran war exposes discord among Gulf nations.
The loss of the UAE, a longstanding OPEC member, could create disarray and weaken the group, which has usually sought to show a united front despite internal disagreements over a range of issues from geopolitics to production quotas.
UAE Energy Minister Suhail Mohamed al-Mazrouei told Reuters the decision was taken after a careful look at the regional power’s energy strategies.
Asked whether the UAE consulted with OPEC’s de facto leader, Saudi Arabia, he said the UAE did not raise the issue with any other country.
“This is a policy decision, it has been done after a careful look at current and future policies related to level of production,” said the energy minister.
