Saudi Arabia reopening airspace, land border with Qatar, says Kuwait

Kuwait’s foreign ministry on Monday announced that Saudi Arabia will lift a years-long embargo on Qatar, opening its air and land borders in the first steps toward ending the Gulf crisis.

Also read: GCC-SG welcomes borders reopening announcement

The state-run Kuwait News Agency reported the announcement, saying that Saudi Arabia would open its airspace, land and sea borders starting Monday evening.

More on Qatar crisis here.

Kuwait has been mediating between Qatar and four Arab states that launched a boycott in mid-2017.

The announcement comes on the eve of a summit of Gulf Arab leaders in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday.

: # #

— KUNA (@kuna_ar) January 4, 2021

Saudi state agency SPA quoted Saudi Arabia’s de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as saying the annual gathering of Gulf leaders would unite Gulf ranks “in the face of challenges facing the region”.

HRH Crown Prince: The policy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, is based on a solid approach targeting achieving the ultimate interests of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states and the Arab countries.#SPAGOV pic.twitter.com/5y2obOJ3uY

— SPAENG (@Spa_Eng) January 4, 2021