The UAE appears to have unblocked most Qatari websites including the English and Arabic language portals of state-owned television network Al-Jazeera six weeks after the sites were blocked when the latest diplomatic crisis in the GCC states began.

Shutting down Al-Jazeera was one of the original 13 demands made by the Saudi-led states in order to end the trade and economic blockade that they imposed on Qatar in June.

The 13 demands, which were rejected by Qatar, have been changed into six broad principles that include commitments to combat terrorism and extremism and to end acts of provocation and incitement.

Over the weekend, Omar Saif Ghobash, the UAE’s ambassador to Russia, told the BBC that a distinction has to be made between Al-Jazeera English and Arabic.

The diplomat told BBC’s Hardtalk that the Arabic network propagates a message of hate and that the Saudi-led states would still push for its closure or change in its editorial content.

Government websites including those of Public Works Authority (Ashghal) and Transport and Communications Ministry have also been unblocked.

The website of the national carrier Qatar Airways, however, remains blocked.