26 May 2016
JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia said talks on Wednesday with visiting Iranian delegates on arrangements for Iranian Haj pilgrims have been "positive."
Hussein Sharif, Haj and Umrah Ministry undersecretary, said the Kingdom "welcomes pilgrims from all around the world". The two sides discussed "arrangements, as well as organization and services" for pilgrims, he told reporters after a session of talks.
He said an agreement had been reached following the arrival of the delegation Tuesday to "use electronic visas which could be printed out" by Iranian pilgrims, as Saudi diplomatic missions remain shut in Iran.
A final agreement would be signed at the end of the ongoing talks, he said.
"Directives concerning the air carrier will come from the Saudi civil aviation authority," said Sharif.
A local media report said if the Iranian side agrees to the Saudi ministry's stipulations, 63,000 visas would be issued for their pilgrims, the same as last year.
The Iranians had sought to have visas issued in Iran for their pilgrims. The Kingdom had stated that the visas would be issued from Dubai.
Among the other points of contention, the Iranians demanded the right to hold their own rituals and controversial protests. Saudi Arabia contended that these protests were not in the spirit of Haj.
JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia said talks on Wednesday with visiting Iranian delegates on arrangements for Iranian Haj pilgrims have been "positive."
Hussein Sharif, Haj and Umrah Ministry undersecretary, said the Kingdom "welcomes pilgrims from all around the world". The two sides discussed "arrangements, as well as organization and services" for pilgrims, he told reporters after a session of talks.
He said an agreement had been reached following the arrival of the delegation Tuesday to "use electronic visas which could be printed out" by Iranian pilgrims, as Saudi diplomatic missions remain shut in Iran.
A final agreement would be signed at the end of the ongoing talks, he said.
"Directives concerning the air carrier will come from the Saudi civil aviation authority," said Sharif.
A local media report said if the Iranian side agrees to the Saudi ministry's stipulations, 63,000 visas would be issued for their pilgrims, the same as last year.
The Iranians had sought to have visas issued in Iran for their pilgrims. The Kingdom had stated that the visas would be issued from Dubai.
Among the other points of contention, the Iranians demanded the right to hold their own rituals and controversial protests. Saudi Arabia contended that these protests were not in the spirit of Haj.
© Arab News 2016
