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Qatar welcomes Saudi decision to faciliate travel of Qatari pilgrims

DOHA, Aug 17 (KUNA) -- Qatar welcomed Thursday Saudi Arabia's recent decision on allowing its citizens to cross into the Kingdom by air and via Salwa border port to perform Hajj rituals.
The Saudi decision is a positive step to ease tensions between the two countries, Qatari Endowment and Islamic Affairs Ministry said in a statement.
The Qatari ministry affirmed keenness on communicating with Saudi authorities to ensure validity of all required preparations and procedures for the Qatari Hajj mission, and safety of Qatari pilgrims.
On Wednesday, Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud gave instructions to allow Qatari nationals to cross into the Kingdom by air and via Salwa border crossing to perform the hajj rituals without electronic permits, according to Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
King Salman has also ordered the competent agencies to transport the Qatari pilgrims from King Fahad International Airport in Al-Dammam Province and Al-Ahsa International Airport in the Eastern Province to Jeddah International Airport.
The royal instructions include sending Air Arabia aircraft to Doha to carry Qatari Pilgrims to Jeddah airport.
King Salman also ordered that all costs of transportation and hosting of the Qatari pilgrims will be covered by him as part of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques' guest program. (end) nnd.sam.ma