Budapest
Saudi Arabia this week finally accepted the Hungarian prime minister’s apology for calling Saudis “terrorists” and officially restored relations between the two countries. In February, the Saudis recalled their ambassador to Hungary after Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany congratulated the Hungarian soccer team for its excellent play against a team of Saudi “terrorists.” Gyurcsany apologized profusely immediately after the incident and several times since, but the Saudis were not easily placated. Gyurcsany, a former sports minister, had no diplomatic experience when he became prime minister last August, after his predecessor suddenly resigned.
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