Border post to be reopened

Abu Dhabi: President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan has ordered the re-opening of a major border checkpoint between Al Ain and Al Buraimi in Oman, a top official said on Sunday.

"The Al Mudeef border crossing in Oud Al Tawba area will be re-opened from Monday [today] to streamline travel between Al Ain and Al Buraimi," Lieutenant General Shaikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Interior Minister, said.

Diverted

Earlier, the Ministry of Interior had diverted the border crossing to Khatm Al Shikla checkpoint, some 13km south of Al Mudeef, as it was not possible to expand the old post.

The decision to re-open the old checkpoint was made on humanitarian grounds, as the new crossing had become congested given the holiday season, Shaikh Saif said.

Citizens and residents of GCC countries can now pass through the Al Mudeef crossing until further notice, he said.

Shaikh Saif hailed the decision, saying it underscored the keen interest of the leadership in the day-to-day affairs of citizens. It also showed that the welfare of the citizens was above all other considerations for the leaders, Shaikh Saif added. He said the shortcomings of the new route will be addressed after conducting the necessary studies.

Muscat

UAE, Oman to sign accord

The UAE and Oman will sign an agreement related to their common borders in Muscat tomorrow.

The agreement includes the list of final geographical co-ordinates and the detailed maps delineating the final line of the border. This agreement relates to their common border stretching from east of Oqaidat to Al Dara on the Arabian Gulf, which was signed in 2002 in Abu Dhabi.

Fifty-one maps and three lists of coordinates delineating border signal posts in the three border sectors, including the border post from east Oqaidat to Khatama Malaha, from Dibba to Al Daara and from Madha to Al Nahwa, will be signed.