4 Qatari diplomats prevented from entering Egypt

Security authorities at Cairo International Airport yesterday prevented four female Qatari diplomats from entering the country, according to a security source at the airport.

The source, who requested anonymity, told the Anadolu Agency that when passengers of Gulf Air’s flight 71, arriving from Bahrain, were completing the arrival procedures, four Qatari diplomats were found not to be carrying entry visas.

The source added that the security authorities contacted the Egyptian foreign affairs office at the Cairo airport, which instructed that they be informed that they would be returned on the same plane, in line with the reciprocity principle.

Since the overthrow of former President Mohamed Morsi, Qatari-Egyptian relations have witnessed tensions, and the two countries’ ambassadors have been withdrawn. While Qatar considered Morsi’s ouster a “coup” against the legitimate president, Egypt said that Qatar supports the Muslim Brotherhood which it considers a “terrorist organisation”.