Canada extends welcome mat to Saudi teenager

ESCAPED Saudi teenager Rahaf Mohammed al-Qunun appears to be headed for Canada after the UN High Commissioner for Refugees withdrew its referral to Australia to take her as a refugee.

Last night News Corp confirmed Ms al-Qunun had expressed a preference to go to Canada prior to the UNHCR withdrawing its referral, meaning the 18-year-old is almost certainly going there.

Thai authorities earlier hinted the future of Ms alQunun, whose dramatic escape bid from her family captured international attention, could be determined yesterday, suggesting Australia and Canada had offered asylum.

Government sources denied a Daily Mail report Ms Qunun had been granted resettlement in Australia.

Immigration chief Surachate Hakparn said the UNHCR was “working hard” to prepare resettlement papers..

He also confirmed that she had undergone health checks, often one of the final stages in the asylum process.

Foreign minister Marise Payne said Ms Qunun’s asylum bid was being considered after she was granted UNHCR refugee status.