The journalist, Gil Tamary of Israel's Channel 13, on Monday posted to Twitter video of himself sneaking into Mecca, Islam's holiest city, in defiance of a ban on non-Muslims.

"Is this the accountability you promised for my murder? The blood of MBS's next victim is on your hands."

The Saudi civil aviation authority "announces the decision to open the Kingdom's airspace for all air carriers that meet the requirements of the authority for overflying"

The kingdom has repeatedly said it would stick to the decades-old Arab League position of not establishing official ties with Israel until the conflict with the Palestinians is resolved.

Last month Biden himself had sought to distance himself from the upcoming encounter, stressing to reporters he was going to meet with King Salman and his team.

Saudi Arabia, home to Islam's holiest sites in Mecca and Medina, allowed back foreign travellers this year to perform the hajj.

Saudi women are no longer banned from concerts and sports events, and in 2018 they gained the right to drive.

The Islamic religious police have been de-fanged, cinemas have reopened, foreign tourists have been welcomed, and Saudi Arabia has staged a film festival, operas, a Formula One Grand Prix, professional wrestling and a huge rave festival.

Biden would participate in a Riyadh summit of the Gulf Cooperation Council

New ’mega-airport', new national flag carrier and expectation of 330 million annual visitors, Saudi Arabia seeks $100billion to become world's top tourist spot.

The operation was part of a $20-billion clearance and construction project that stands to displace half-a-million people in Saudi Arabia's second city

Xi's potential visit would offer a stark contrast to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and his relationship with President Biden, who pledged during the 2020 election to treat the kingdom like a "pariah" state.