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.



Saudi FM Holds a Phone Call with Russian Counterpart

Saudi Arabia Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud. (Reuters)
Saudi Arabia Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud. (Reuters)
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Saudi FM Holds a Phone Call with Russian Counterpart

Saudi Arabia Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud. (Reuters)
Saudi Arabia Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud. (Reuters)

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah held a phone call on Wednesday with Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergei Lavrov.

The two officials discussed bilateral ties and regional developments.