Bahrain imposes entry visas on Qatari nationals, residents

Minister of Foreign Affairs of the UAE Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan (L), Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir (R), Foreign Minister of Egypt Sameh Shoukry (2nd L) and Foreign Minister of Bahrain Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa (2nd R) pose for a photo in Manama, Bahrain [Stringer/Anadolu Agency, file photo]

Bahrain will impose entry visas on Qatari nationals and residents, it said on Tuesday, in what it called a security measure.

Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt cut diplomatic, transport and trade ties with Qatar in June, accusing it of financing terrorism. Doha denies that and says the boycott is an attempt to rein in its support for reform.

“The new measures aim at preventing harming the security and stability of the kingdom of Bahrain particularly in light of the latest repercussions of the crisis with Qatar”, said a statement on official news agency BNA.

Citizens from the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council countries are supposed to be able to travel within the GCC carrying only an identity card. Bahrain’s visa requirements will apply from Nov. 10.

Read: Bahrain calls for tougher actions against Qatar

Bahrain believes Qatar is fomenting unrest in the island kingdom by supporting protests and even sporadic shooting and bombing attacks against security forces.

Bahrain’s foreign minister said on Sunday his country would not attend December’s GCC summit if Qatar does not change its policies, and that Qatar should have its GCC membership suspended.

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