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Qatari Vehicles Start Crossing Border into Saudi Arabia

A file photo taken on June 23, 2017, shows a general view of the Qatari side of the Abu Samrah border crossing with Saudi Arabia. (File/AFP)
A file photo taken on June 23, 2017, shows a general view of the Qatari side of the Abu Samrah border crossing with Saudi Arabia. (File/AFP)
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Qatari Vehicles Start Crossing Border into Saudi Arabia

A file photo taken on June 23, 2017, shows a general view of the Qatari side of the Abu Samrah border crossing with Saudi Arabia. (File/AFP)
A file photo taken on June 23, 2017, shows a general view of the Qatari side of the Abu Samrah border crossing with Saudi Arabia. (File/AFP)

Qatari vehicles crossed into Saudi Arabia through a land border on Saturday for the first time since Arab states severed diplomatic and transport ties with Doha in mid-2017, Saudi state TV said, following a deal this week to restore relations.

"It's good the crisis has been resolved, and the warm welcome we had, and the happiness we see in our brothers," the driver of the second car to pass through the Abu Samra-Salwa crossing told Ekhbariya TV.

Saudi Arabia on Tuesday announced an end to the dispute with Qatar.

Also, a UAE official this week said travel and trade links could resume within a week of the deal.

Qatar Airways on Thursday began re-routing some of its flights through Saudi airspace, Reuters reported.

Etihad airways, Abu Dhabi's carrier, also intends to recommence services between Abu Dhabi and Doha, a spokesperson said on Saturday.

Measures to contain the spread of the new coronavirus are in place on both sides of the Saudi-Qatar land border.

All arrivals into Qatar crossing at Abu Samra must present a negative COVID-19 test, take a new test at the border and quarantine for one week in one of a number of selected hotels.

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UN Supports Saudi-Led Calls for Ceasefire in the Middle East

Stephane Dujarric (AFP)
Stephane Dujarric (AFP)
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UN Supports Saudi-Led Calls for Ceasefire in the Middle East

Stephane Dujarric (AFP)
Stephane Dujarric (AFP)

The United Nations reaffirmed its unwavering support for efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Palestine, Lebanon, and all conflict zones across the Middle East, following the calls made at the Extraordinary Arab and Islamic Summit held in Riyadh on Monday.
UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric told the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) that the international organization remains committed to supporting all efforts aimed at de-escalating the situation in the region. This includes working towards a ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon, as well as the unconditional release of all hostages in Gaza, as reported by SPA on Wednesday.
He emphasized that UN Secretary-General António Guterres continues to stress the importance of ending the Israeli occupation and implementing the two-state solution, which is viewed as a fair and lasting resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The Arab and Islamic Summit was convened at the initiative of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and was chaired by Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.