Egypt ends visa-free entry for Qatari citizens

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By CGTN's Jerry Owilli

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.

A Qatar Airways plane lands at the Hamad International Airport in the Qatari capital Doha, June 12, 2017. /VCG Photo‍

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.