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UAE-Oman cross-border travel eased

AL AIN - Expatriates working in Al Ain and living in Buraimi, the border Omani city with Al Ain, have expressed gratitude to the President, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, for suspending a decision to divert the UAE-Oman border crossing from the border post of Al Moudeef to Khathem Al Shiqla. The route of the border crossing was tentatively diverted from Al Moudeef to Khathem Al Shiqla last week.

However, the decision is now being called off with effect from today, a Wam report said.

Officials at Hilli and Khathem Al Shiqla checkposts said that from 6am today, UAE and GCC nationals, who wish to enter Oman through Buraimi, could go through the Al Moudeef checkpost, while expatriates could cross into Oman through the Hilli checkpost.

By the earlier decision, expatriates had to pass through Khatem Al Shiqla checkpost which is 20km on the outskirts of Al Ain, while UAE and GCC nationals had to use the Hilli checkpost, the officials clarified.

The diversion of the border crossing from Al Moudeef in Buraimi to Khathem Al Shiqla had been causing problems and inconvenience to the students of various schools in Al Ain who reside in Buraimi.

The students often reached schools late to attend summer courses due to the daily inspections and the traffic jams at the Khathem Al Shiqla checkpost. In addition, people employed in Al Ain but residing in Buraimi also had to endure traffic jams at the border.

Ammar Saeed, a resident of Buraimi whose children study in Al Ain, said that the President’s decision to suspend the border crossing at Khatem Al Shiqla has lifted the daily burden off his children who had to travel a longer distance to reach their school during the summer months.

“This is a humanitarian move,” said Saeed.

Fayza Abbas, a teacher who works in a private school in Al Ain, said she is very happy, as the suspension of the earlier decision will bring relief to many expatriates who work in Al Ain and live in Buraimi.

Afra Mohammed, another teacher, said there are no more worries about coming to Al Ain daily and returning to Buraimi. “No loss of time and no more sufferings.”

Wam adds: “The diversion of the route has been suspended for humanitarian reasons. One obvious reason is that the decision has coincided with the summer holidays. Thus, the new post has been inundated with travellers, causing delays and crowdings. This is why the President has stepped in to suspend the decision,” said General Shaikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Interior.

Shaikh Saif hailed the decision, saying it underscores the importance attached by the leadership to the day-to-day affairs of the citizens. It also shows that welfare of the citizens is above everything else, Shaikh Saif added.

The minister said shortcomings on the new route will be addressed after thorough studies.

Earlier, the Ministry of Interior had diverted the border crossing to Khathem Al Shiqla checkpost, 13km south of Al Moudeef, as old checkpost could not be expanded.

lanamahdi@khaleejtimes.com