SHAH ALAM, AUG 17: The Saudi Arabia ruler, King Salman has instructed its border with Qatar to be reopened to facilitate hajj pilgrims, as an initial sign that the worst diplomatic crisis in the region is subsiding, reported AFP quoted by local media.
The border was closed last June 5 when rulers of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bahrain and United Arab Emirates jointly severed diplomatic and commercial ties with Qatar and accused the country of abetting the Islamic militant groups.
Malaysia Insight reported that the announcement was made after the Saudi Crown Prince received an envoy from Doha, according to Saudi Press Agency, in the first high-level meeting between the countries after the crisis broke out.
King Salman allowed pilgrims from Qatar to enter Saudi Arabia through the border for hajj, a statement published by SPA.
He also directed private jets owned by Saudi Arabian airline to be sent to Doha airport to bring all pilgrims from Qatar under his sponsorship.
