Saudi Arabia's foreign minister says ties with former foe Qatar are now 'very good'

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan praised his country's relations with Qatar on Tuesday, following a long period of frozen diplomatic ties.

During his speech to the Aspen Security Forum, via video link, the Saudi official said relations with Doha are now "very good", adding that the Al-Ula agreement - signed in January, which ended a three-year blockade on Qatar - resolved their differences.

A Gulf summit held in January this year in Al-Ula, Saudi Arabia resulted in an agreement by Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt, and Bahrain to lift their blockade on Qatar and work toward a full restoration of ties.

Qatar's ruler Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani visited Saudi Arabia in May, his second visit since the countries re-established relations.

Since the reconciliation, there have been steps towards full normalisation, including the resumption of air travel between the Gulf states, the reopening of Qatar's sole land border with Saudi Arabia, and an exchange of ambassadors between Riyadh and Doha.

Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt cut land, sea, and air links to Qatar in June 2017, accusing the country of ties to extremist groups and being too close to Iran, claims that Doha strongly rejected.