QATAR EMIR LANDS IN SAUDI ARABIA FOR LANDMARK SUMMIT

Tue 05 January 2021:

Saudi Arabia on Monday announced the reopening of land borders with Qatar after a three and a half-year spat that saw the kingdom, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain cut diplomatic and trade ties and impose a land, sea and air blockade on the Gulf state.

Saudi Arabia has opened its land border with Qatar for the first time in over three years.

The move, after months of mediation, could end a political dispute that led Riyadh and its allies to impose a boycott on Qatar 👇 pic.twitter.com/r98TknPrld

— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) January 5, 2021

Sheikh Tamim’s participation comes after Kuwait’s foreign minister announced late on Monday that Saudi Arabia will reopen its airspace, as well as its land and sea border, with Qatar, paving the way for a deal towards resolving the Gulf crisis.

BREAKING: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman welcomes Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani who arrives in Saudi Arabia for the GCC Summit just few hours after the two countries agreed to reopen airspace, land and maritime borders pic.twitter.com/2u8PMaIcjv

— Harun Maruf (@HarunMaruf) January 5, 2021

Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani’s Airbus A340, emblazoned with the word “QATAR” in the emirate’s signature burgundy, landed in Al-Ula, northwestern Saudi Arabia, shortly after 0900 GMT, Saudi state television showed.

Qatar’s ruler was warmly greeted by Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on arrival in the kingdom for Tuesday’s GCC summit.

Citing unnamed sources, Saudi-owned Al Arabiya reported that Egypt will open its airspace with Qatar, adding that “implementation will be contingent on the fulfillment of Egyptian requirements”.

The Dubai-based news outlet gave no details on what demands the Egyptian government was after.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry will attend Tuesday’s GCC summit, an official source was quoted as saying by Reuters news agency.

In June 2017, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain and Egypt accused Qatar, among other things, of supporting terrorism and being too close to Iran, and severed economic and diplomatic ties. They also imposed a land, sea and air blockade on Qatar.

Qatar has repeatedly denied the allegations and said there was “no legitimate justification” for the severance of relations.

Kuwait has been mediating between Qatar and four Arab states.

-Source: Al Jazeera | Photo: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman welcomes Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani who arrives in Saudi Arabia

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