Saudi officials reject blame for border chaos

Riyadh Officials at the Saudi Passports Department have categorically denied responsibility for the situation at the border.

In a statement to Gulf News, the Assistant Secretary-General for Economic Affairs of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Mohammad Mazroui, said that the concerned authorities in both countries were keen to resolve the crisis within the framework of the special relationship between them.

Mokbil Al Sayrai, the acting Director of Media Affairs of the Eastern Province Passports Office stressed that his department had nothing to do with the ordeal faced by truck drivers in Al Ba'tha border check in, and that it has to do with other departments which he declined to identify.

Speaking to reporters on Sunday, he said the passports authorities have not introduced any new measures which might cause the problem. "On the contrary, the Passports authorities have supported Al Ba'tha border post with additional personnel to help in facilitation of entry procedures, especially with the application of the fingerprint." he added.

He said fingerprinting does not take more than three minutes, including the finalisation of the procedures, even for trucks crossing for the first time.