Qatar expressed concern about the safety of its citizens in Saudi Arabia following the reopening of the countries' border enabling Qataris to attend the annual haj pilgrimage in Mecca.

Qatari pilgrims began arriving in Saudi Arabia on Thursday, Saudi media reported, after Riyadh said it was opening up its border and airports for those attending the annual haj pilgrimage despite a diplomatic rift that cut travel ties.

A number of Hajj campaign managers announced that the authorities in Saudi Arabia have imposed new fees on pilgrims.

The authorities in charge of Hajj affairs in Saudi Arabia introduced a new system this year for meals provided by campaigns for pilgrims.

The head of the Bahraini Hajj Mission said that any unlicensed campaign will be referred to the Public Prosecutor's Office, calling on pilgrims to register in authorized campaigns.

A number of Bahraini campaign owners said that they received text messages from the Saudi Ministry of Hajj stating that they suspended the decision of extra fees on the Bahraini pilgrims who have already performed the Hajj pilgrimage.