Saudi Arabia and Iraq plan to open the Arar border crossing for trade for the first time since 1990, when it was closed after the countries cut ties following Saddam Hussein’s invasion of Kuwait, Saudi local media reported on Tuesday.
Officials toured the site on Monday and spoke with Iraqi religious pilgrims, who for the past 27 years had access to the crossing only once annually during the hajj season, the Mecca newspaper reported.
The governor of Iraq’s southwestern Anbar province said the Iraqi government had deployed troops to protect the desert route leading to Arar.
The announcement follows a decision by the Saudi cabinet on Monday to establish a joint trade commission with Iraq.
(eTN): Iraq and Saudi Arabia to re-open Arar border crossing closed for 27 years | re-post license |Â post content
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