Saudi Arabia’s King Salman ordered the border with Qatar to be reopened so that the pilgrims could carry out their annual hajj despite the feud between two countries.
State media in Riyadh said that the decision came after the king received an envoy from Doha for the first time since Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bahrain and United Arab Emirates cut off ties with Qatar in June. Four countries accuse Doha of supporting terrorism - a charge Qatar denies.
Under king’s orders, Qatari pilgrims will be allowed to enter Saudi Arabia via Salwa border point without electronic permissions needed earlier and he also ordered private jets belonging to Saudi airlines to be sent to Doha to bring all Qatari pilgrims free of charge.