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• Vehicles cross the Saudi Arabian border from Qatar for the first time since mid-2017
Tribune News Network
Doha/Riyadh
Vehicles have crossed the Saudi Arabian land border from Qatar for the first time since four Arab states severed diplomatic and transport ties with Doha in mid-2017.
The development came on Saturday after a deal this week to restore relations between the Gulf neighbours.
In a tweet on Saturday, Qatar’s General Authority of Customs said, “Land Customs Administration has resumed procedures for receiving travellers to and from the country, in coordination with its partners from the government agencies operating at the Abu Samra border crossing.”
The Saudi Customs, at Salwa border crossing with Qatar, began operations as the border port received a number of arrivals from Qatar, completing all customs procedures, according to the health procedures followed in all ports.
The Saudi Customs had started working, immediately, after announcing the agreement to open the airspace, land, sea and air ports between Saudi Arabia and Qatar, to equip Salwa port with all technical and operational aspects, in cooperation with all government agencies, to ensure that port meets all requirements to provide distinguished services to all travellers.
Saudi state television Al-Ekhbariya on Saturday aired footage of Qatari cars entering the kingdom via the Salwa border crossing. "Thank God, the crisis has been resolved," a Qatari man in his car told the broadcaster.
"I appreciate the warm welcome by our brothers."
Some 68 cars entered Saudi Arabia via the crossing, while 20 others departed to Qatar on Saturday, a Saudi customs official said.
"The crossing is in full operation. We welcome Qatari citizens," the head of the Salwa crossing customs, Ali Al Aklabi, told Al-Ekhbariya. (With inputs from DPA)
