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Saudi Envoy Returning to Germany This Week as Ties Recover

Saudi Envoy Returning to Germany This Week as Ties Recover

(Bloomberg) -- Saudi Arabia is sending its ambassador back to Germany this week, according to two people with knowledge of the matter.

The return of Prince Khalid bin Bandar bin Sultan to Berlin comes as the countries turn the page on a diplomatic crisis that lasted almost a year. The two people spoke on condition of anonymity because the information isn’t public.

An announcement is expected as soon as Monday, one of the people said. Saudi and German officials didn’t immediately respond to emailed questions.

The spat, triggered by German accusations of undue Saudi influence over Lebanon, damaged business ties between the kingdom and its largest European trading partner.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman told Bloomberg last week that Prince Khalid would return to Germany “and I believe he will go to another position later on and we will have a new ambassador there.”

To contact the reporters on this story: Vivian Nereim in Riyadh at vnereim@bloomberg.net;Birgit Jennen in Berlin at bjennen1@bloomberg.net

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Alaa Shahine at asalha@bloomberg.net, Mark Williams

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