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Easing tensions? Saudi Arabia 'allows permit-free Hajj to Qataris'
King Salman issues decree offering concessions to Qatari pilgrims following talks between Saudi crown prince and Qatari royal.
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Qatar and Saudi Arabia appeared to thaw relations slightly on Wednesday when Riyadh announced that Qatari Hajj pilgrims would be allowed to enter Saudi Arabia by land without electronic permits.
The ongoing blockade of Qatar had raised serious questions about whether Riyadh could prevent Muslims from Qatar from taking part in the annual pilgrimage. Doing so would likely have sparked outrage throughout the Muslim world and further weakened Saudi Arabia's international reputation.
The royal decree giving the instructions followed talks between Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman and Qatari royal Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassem al-Thani, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
It has not yet been confirmed if al-Thani was designated as an official interlocuter by the royal court in Doha.
King Salman also reportedly ordered that Qatari pilgrims arriving at King Fahad International Airport and al-Ahsa International Airport be provided with free airport transfers on arrival.
Riyadh's state-run news agency also reported that the king had ordered national airline planes be sent to Doha to transport Qatari pilgrims directly to Jeddah at his own expense.
The report has yet to be confirmed.
Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries have for several months been enforcing a blockade on Qatar, which includes restrictions on Doha flights through its airspace.