Saudi Arabia and Qatar reopened on Saturday the only land border between their countries, in line with the reconciliation that was announced on Tuesday.
The move was in line with the approval of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz to reopen all borders with Doha before last week’s Gulf summit.
The 41st Gulf Cooperation Council summit, held in Saudi Arabia’s AlUla, witnessed the signing of the AlUla declaration that ended the Gulf row.
Saudi Airlines (Saudia) will operate flights from Riyadh and Jeddah to Doha, starting from Monday, the airline said in a tweet on Saturday. It will operate four flights a week from the Saudi capital and three from Jeddah.
After a three-year closure, Qatari vehicles were seen passing through the Abu Samra land crossing with Saudi Arabia where health precautions are in place amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Saudis are still barred from leaving the country due to the outbreak. The travel ban is due to be lifted in March.
Asharq Al-Awsat was at the crossing to witness the warm welcome shown to Qataris, reflecting the bonds of friendship between the neighbors.
Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt ended on Tuesday the Gulf crisis by declaring reconciliation with Qatar after a three-year rift.
The quartet and other Gulf nations prioritized the higher national interests of their people and the future of their region.
