Bahrain, Qatar to Restore Diplomatic Ties

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs Secretary General Dr. Ahmed Hassan Al Hammadi and the Undersecretary for Political Affairs Sheikh Dr. Abdullah bin Ahmed Al Khalifa. (QNA)
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs Secretary General Dr. Ahmed Hassan Al Hammadi and the Undersecretary for Political Affairs Sheikh Dr. Abdullah bin Ahmed Al Khalifa. (QNA)
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Bahrain, Qatar to Restore Diplomatic Ties

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs Secretary General Dr. Ahmed Hassan Al Hammadi and the Undersecretary for Political Affairs Sheikh Dr. Abdullah bin Ahmed Al Khalifa. (QNA)
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs Secretary General Dr. Ahmed Hassan Al Hammadi and the Undersecretary for Political Affairs Sheikh Dr. Abdullah bin Ahmed Al Khalifa. (QNA)

Qatar and Bahrain agreed to restore diplomatic ties on Wednesday during the Bahraini-Qatari Follow-up Committee’s second meeting at the headquarters of the GCC General Secretariat in Riyadh.

The Bahraini delegation was headed by the Undersecretary for Political Affairs Sheikh Dr. Abdullah bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, and the Qatari delegation was headed by the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Ahmed Hassan Al Hammadi.

The two sides affirmed that restoring ties stems from the mutual will to develop bilateral relations and enhance the Gulf unity and integration according to the GCC Charter and in respect of the principles of equality, national sovereignty and independence, territorial integrity, and good neighborliness between states.

Restoring diplomatic relations between the two countries came in accordance with the principles of the United Nations Charter and the provisions of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 1961.

During the meeting, the interlocutors discussed the topics on the agenda and reviewed the outcomes of the first meeting of the joint legal committee and the joint security committee.



Saudi Council of Senior Scholars: Performing Hajj without a Permit Is a Sin

Pilgrims are seen at the Hajj last year. (EPA)
Pilgrims are seen at the Hajj last year. (EPA)
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Saudi Council of Senior Scholars: Performing Hajj without a Permit Is a Sin

Pilgrims are seen at the Hajj last year. (EPA)
Pilgrims are seen at the Hajj last year. (EPA)

Saudi Arabia’s Council of Senior Scholars stressed on Sunday the need to obtain a permit for anyone wishing to perform the Hajj pilgrimage.

In a statement, it warned that performing the pilgrimage without the permit “is a sin” and would “lead to several dangers and impact the safety and health of pilgrims and the services provided.”

Meanwhile, the Holy Makkah Municipality said 22,000 of its members and members of other entities are dedicating their services and capabilities to implement this year’s Hajj season plan.

The municipality has provided 28 centers in the holy sites to offer the best services to the pilgrims.

In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, municipality spokesman Osama al-Zeitouni said it has backed up its efforts with several electronic platforms and apps that would help boost the efficiency of services and speed up procedures.

It has also dedicated a large fleet of equipment and human cadres and set up integrated plans and work programs that cover the entirety of the Hajj, he added.

The municipality's efforts include and are not limited to training members on crisis, disaster and crowd management. Dedicated teams will be in place to handle emergencies caused by rain or fires, as well as handling waste and garbage, providing protection against insects and regularly disinfecting camps.

The municipality has dedicated a team to monitor the markets, grocery stores and restaurants to ensure the safety of food provided.