Saudi Arabia will open its border with Qatar to allow Muslim pilgrims to attend the annual Hajj in Mecca beginning this month. <br/><br/>According to Saudi Press Agency, based on the mediation of Sheikh Abdullah bin Ali bin Abdullah bin Jassem Al Thani of Qatar, the Saudi King Salman has directed to open the Salwa border. <br/><br/>This was the first high level direct interaction between Saudi Arabia and Qatar ever since breaking of all diplomatic and economic ties since June this year between the two countries. <br/><br/>The Saudi King has also ordered that private jets belonging to Saudi airlines be sent to Doha airport "to bring all Qatari pilgrims on his expenses".<br/><br/>On June 5th this year, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain and Egypt had severed all diplomatic ties with Qatar accusing it of supporting terror groups and creating instability in the region, a charge which Doha denies.

Saudi Arabia will open its border with Qatar to allow Muslim pilgrims to attend the annual Hajj in Mecca beginning this month.<br/><br/>The announcement came after the first high-level meeting between the neighbours since Saudi Arabia and three other states cut all links in June. They accuse Qatar of aiding terrorists – a charge the emirate denies. <br/><br/>The closure of the Saudi border has forced Qatar to import food by sea and air for its population of 2.7 million.