(Photo: AFP/VNA)

Israel has announced the opening of an embassy in Abu Dhabi, saying the embassy will be a temporary office during preparations for a more permanent one.

Veteran diplomat Eitan Naeh was appointed to head Israel's diplomatic mission to the UAE. The two countries have also opened direct flights and exchanged trade delegations.

The UAE was the first of four Arab countries to establish or resume diplomatic relations with Israel under a series of US-mediated agreements.