Egypt ends visa-free entry for Qatari citizens

Egypt has abolished visa-free travel for Qataris, the latest measure taken against Doha in the ongoing Gulf crisis.

The

North African country’s foreign ministry made the announcement on

Monday, saying there was no need to continue making exceptions for

Qatari nationals amid the ongoing stalemate. Local media reported

sources from the Cairo International Airport as saying that the decision

would be implemented Wednesday or Thursday.

“It does

not make sense to keep making exceptions for Qatar and giving it

privileges in light of its current positions,” said Ahmed Abu Zeid,

Egypt’s foreign ministry spokesman.

The restrictions will not affect spouses and children of

Egyptian nationals, as well as for Qatari nationals who are studying at

Egyptian public universities, Abu Zeid said.

The

development comes six weeks after Egypt, along with Saudi Arabia, the

United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, cut ties with Qatar on June 5 and

imposed an air, sea and land blockade on the country.

The nations accused Doha of supporting “extremists” – an allegation that Qatar denies.

More

than two weeks after the Gulf crisis began, the blockading countries

issued a list of 13 demands that included the closure of Al Jazeera

Media Network.

The move was condemned by various international rights organizations, the UN and heads of states.