Al-Jazira: Saudi Arabia denies Ar'ar crossing to have resumed activities
Saudi Arabia-Iraq, Politics, 11/4/2002

The director general of the customs department in Saudi Arabia Saleh al-Barrak has denied Jdedat Ar'ar crossing on the Saudi- Iraqi border has resumed its activities recently.

In a statement issued by the Saudi daily al-Jazira on Saturday, al-Barrak said that what was quoted by certain mass media on the crossing's resumption of its trade activity is not precise, stressing that the said crossing is still blocked and it is not permitted to export or import through it, and what is only permitted is the passage of the pilgrims.

On the official inauguration of the crossing by the Iraqi side, as marking the transit of goods, according to the media, al-Barrak said that the opening of the crossing was made by the Iraqi side only, but as for the kingdom the crossing is dedicated for the crossing of pilgrims. He noted that no UN observers are at the crossing.

Worthy mentioning that the crossing is trodden by 23,000 pilgrims annually, most of them are of the Iraqi nationality.

Previous Stories:
  Largest Saudi trade delegation to Baghdad in 12 years; Iraq re-opens Ar'ar border crossing   (11/1/2002)
  Ar'ar border between Iraq, Saudi Arabia opens Wednesday   (10/28/2002)
  Iraqi trade minister Ar'ar crossing to open in few days   (10/26/2002)

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