Saudi Arabia has permanently closed its only border with Qatar after briefly opening it in August to allow Qataris to perform the Hajj.

The Salwa crossing point was permanently closed on Monday at the request of the Saudi customs directorate.

 Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt severed diplomatic ties with Qatar over its support for terrorism. The quartet cut off sea, air and border links with the gas-rich emirate.

Riyadh closed down the Salwa crossing two weeks after the beginning of the crisis, halting therefore trade between the two countries – a measure that cut Qatar’s vital food supplies.

Saudi authorities reopened the crossing point in August to allow Qataris who wished to perform the Hajj to cross.