Bahrain imposes visas on Qatari nationals

Manama: Bahrain is imposing visas on Qatari nationals planning to visit the kingdom following years of allowing citizens from the peninsular country to enter Bahrain by showing their identity cards.

The decision was attributed to the need to take measures to ensure that Bahrain’s openness on tourism and visits is not abused to target its security and stability.

King Hamad Bin Eisa Al Khalifa who chaired the weekly cabinet session on Monday ordered the imposition of visas as part of strengthening the process to enter and live in Bahrain in light of the prevailing security challenges and to protect the kingdom’s security and stability.

The visa will not be imposed on the other members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) – Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates whose citizens will continue to enter Bahrain with their IDs.

Bahrain has suffered the most from the policies adopted by Qatar, King Hamad stressed.

Addressing and defeating terrorism is a priority, and the Kingdom of Bahrain will remain an oasis of security and stability and will resolutely and forcefully confront every cowardly act aimed at undermining its security and stability, King Hamad said.