Saudi king invites Qatar’s ruler to visit: Emir’s office

Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani receives a letter from King Salman ‘including an invitation to visit’.

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman has invited Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to visit the kingdom, the emir’s office has said, in the latest sign of improving relations between the neighbours and former rivals. Riyadh and allies broke off ties with Qatar in June 2017 over claims it was too close to Iran and was stoking regional unrest, allegations Qatar has always denied. Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain and Egypt cut diplomatic and trade ties and imposed a land, sea and air blockade on the Gulf state.