Saudi Arabia, Canada end 2018 human rights dispute; to restore ties

Saudi Arabia and Canada will restore full diplomatic relations, the kingdom said Wednesday, following a 2018 dispute over human rights that saw Riyadh expel Ottawa's ambassador and freeze new trade. The decision, also announced by Canada's foreign ministry, came after talks last year between Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on the sidelines of the summit of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Forum in Bangkok. It has been decided to restore the level of diplomatic relations with Canada to its previous state, Saudi's foreign ministry said in a statement.