Doha regrets Bahrain’s move to impose visas on Qataris

by Ahmed al-Masri and Zeynep Tufekci

DOHA, Qatar

Bahrain's decision to impose entry visas on Qatari citizens reveals its “persistence in severing ties with Gulf families in contravention of Islam”, Qatar’s permanent representative to the UN said Tuesday.

According to Qatar’s official QNA news agency, Ali Khalfan al-Mansouri said he "regrets" the decision and called it a “flagrant violation of the agreements and resolutions of the Gulf Cooperation Council”.

Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa on Monday ordered the imposition of entry visas on visitors from Qatar.

In June, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Bahrain all abruptly cut diplomatic and commercial ties with Qatar, accusing it of supporting terrorist groups in the region.

The four states also threatened Qatar with additional sanctions if Doha failed to meet a long list of demands, including one for the closure of Qatari news broadcaster Al Jazeera.

Qatar, however, has refused to comply, vociferously denying the accusations against it and describing Saudi-led attempts to isolate it as a breach of international law.

by Ahmed al-Masri and Zeynep Tufekci

DOHA, Qatar

Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa on Monday ordered the imposition of entry visas on visitors from Qatar.

In June, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Bahrain all abruptly cut diplomatic and commercial ties with Qatar, accusing it of supporting terrorist groups in the region.

The four states also threatened Qatar with additional sanctions if Doha failed to meet a long list of demands, including one for the closure of Qatari news broadcaster Al Jazeera.

Qatar, however, has refused to comply, vociferously denying the accusations against it and describing Saudi-led attempts to isolate it as a breach of international law.