Saudi-Iranian reconciliation hailed

Nations to restore diplomatic ties after 7-year break

Saudi Arabia and Iran agreed on Thursday to resume their diplomatic relations and reopen embassies in each other's country within 60 days, as their top envoys met in Beijing following the two countries' diplomatic rapprochement under a China-brokered deal last month.

China received Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud for a meeting in Beijing upon the proposal of the two countries, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said at a regular news briefing on Thursday.

"Both sides noted that they will continue to advance the process to improve bilateral relations in accordance with the road map and timeline identified during talks in Beijing in March," Mao said.