Abu Dhabi: President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan has ordered the reopening 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 reopened from Sunday midnight on the directives of President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, to streamline travelling between Al Ain and Al Buraimi in Oman," said Lieutenant General Shaikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Interior Minister.
The crossing at Al Mudeef was designated as an official entry-and-exit point around a year ago.
The border crossing was closed recently in an attempt to clamp down on illegal immigrants passing from Oman into the UAE through Al Buraimi.
The decision was taken on humanitarian grounds after a new crossing witnessed congestion of travelers due to the peak season of summer holidays, Shaikh Saif said.
Under Shaikh Khalfa's instructions, residents and citizens of GCC countries can now pass through the Al Mudeef crossing until further notice.
Residents on both sides of the border said they are happy the decision closing the border crossing was reversed after the higher authorities in the UAE realised its negative impact.
