During the first half of the 19 century, the Qatari peninsula was claimed alternatively by the House of Thani, House of Saud and House of Khalifa. On September 12, 1868, a declaration of Arab maritime peace, drafted by Sir Lewis Pelly was re-signed and re-affirmed. For the first time, Mohammed bin Thani, leader of the Guttur tribes, was asked to sign too, a move widely seen as the first international recognition of the sovereignty of Qatar.