ABU DHABI 8 June 2017: The United Arab Emirates (UAE authorities have announced that all travellers holding Qatari passports are currently prohibited from travelling to – or transiting through – the UAE.
In addition, expatriates residing in Qatar and in possession of a Qatari Residence Visa shall not be eligible for Visa on Arrival in the UAE, said Wam.
This ruling applies to all airlines flying into the UAE.
Qatar should commit to rules of security, stability of Gulf: Gargash
Dr. Anwar bin Mohammed Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, called on Qatar to commit to the security and stability of the Gulf region while stating that severing ties with Doha is the result of several years of destructive Qatari policies and its support for extremist and terrorist organisations.
In his statement, he said, “As Qatar is a neighbour, it should commit to the rules of security and the stability of the Gulf. It has to stop playing the role of the main promoter of extremism and terrorism in the region.”
“The crisis has increased, and we have reached a dead end in our endeavours to convince Qatar to change its course,” he added.
Dr. Gargash highlighted a series of steps that Doha should take in order to repair its relations by initially stopping its support for extremism and terrorism. He also stressed the need for a clear political involvement that reflects a change in Qatari policies.
“Doha has tried to imply that Gulf and Arab countries, which boycotted it, are trying to influence its external policies, but this is untrue,” he further added.
He also stressed the necessity of a clear roadmap to execute the agreed political steps from a similar crisis in 2014, which also witnessed the severing of ties with Doha.
He mentioned that Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Emir of Qatar, previously pledged that his country will execute these steps, but it did not fulfil its pledges.
Regarding Al Jazeera, he added that Qatar should stop using the media to promote an extremist agenda.
He also demanded that Doha must deal with numerous individuals who the United States, US, and the United Nations, UN, have imposed sanctions on who are currently living in Qatar, with some being involved in funding Al Qaida.
He added that members of the Muslim Brotherhood, who spread bigotry around the region, should not have a safe haven in Qatar.
Dr. Gargash believed that mediation at this time would not lead to a result while describing His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmed Al Jaber Al Sabah, Emir of Kuwait, as one of the most prominent leaders in the region and someone with widespread respect.
He also stressed that Iran is the one benefiting from the crisis, as it usually benefits from any crisis between its neighbours while adding that Qatar has good relations with Iran. They also share a gas field and added that Qatar wants to keep all its options open. “The current crisis has nothing to do with the US Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, as this is not an issue that concerns us,” he added.
GCAA closes Qatar Airways offices in UAE
The UAE General Civil Aviation Authority has announced it is to shut down all Qatar Airways offices in the country.
In a statement released, the authority said, “The UAE General Civil Aviation Authority has taken the decision to close all offices of Qatar Airways in the United Arab Emirates with immediate effect.”
Royal Jet halts flight services to Qatar
Royal Jet, the UAE’s private flight services provider, has announced that flights to and from the State of Qatar will be suspended with immediate effect until further notice.
In a statement, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Board of Directors at Royal Jet, said that this step is in line with the decision of the UAE Government to sever diplomatic relations with Qatar.
UAE Central Bank: Payment and remittance operations remain normal
The UAE Central Bank has announced that all payment and remittance operations remain normal and the UAE financial system is positioned to support this.
In a statement, the Central Bank of the UAE will continue to closely monitor the situation and any developments, taking any necessary steps to maintain stability.
Forum calls on Qatar to review stance, restore Gulf ties
Meanwhile, the Forum for Promoting Peace in Muslim Societies has called on Qatar to review its stance, and restore its ties with other Gulf countries.
The Forum issued a statement that said, “The Forum for Promoting Peace in Muslim Societies, which includes dozens of scholars, was established in the UAE capital, Abu Dhabi, a place of tolerance and reconciliation, to call for peace, compassion and sympathy between the inhabitants of the Arab and Islamic region and the whole of humanity, to combat extremism and terrorism.
“During its annual gatherings and various initiatives, the Forum always calls for solidarity and co-operation between all governments, scholars and intellectuals, as it believes that terrorism can only be defeated through solidarity and co-operation.”
The Forum continued, “We are following, with much concern, the Qatari government’s actions to undermine Arab unity and its ties with the Gulf region and contradict the tolerance of Islam, by supporting terrorist groups in stable countries and fuelling sectarian conflicts. This has led to a series of procedures by the Gulf Cooperation Council, GCC, and some Arab and Islamic countries to prevent the damage caused by the behaviour of the Qatari government, which threatens the stability and security of the region.”
“The Presidency and General Secretariat of the Forum are asking Qatar to revisit its stance, restore its ties with other Gulf countries and correct its mistakes by returning to the Arab and Islamic alliance, to combat terrorism and promote stability and unity,” the Forum for Promoting Peace in Muslim Societies concluded.
Mauritania severs diplomatic relations with Qatar
NOUAKCHOTT: Mauritania has announced it is to sever diplomatic relations with Qatar, as the country insists on pursuing its policies.
According to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the Mauritanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, in a statement today, announced Mauritania’s firm commitment to defend ultimate Arab interests and steadfast adherence to the principle of respect for the sovereignty of states, non-interference in their internal affairs and its relentless efforts to consolidate security and stability in the Arab homeland and the world.
“Qatari policy in the region,” the statement added, “was linked to support of terrorist organisations, the promotion of extremist ideas, the spread of chaos and instability in many Arab countries, resulting in great humanitarian tragedies in those countries, in Europe and across the world. It has dismantled the institutions of sisterly states and destroyed their infrastructure,” the statement continued.
“In the light of the insistence of the state of Qatar to persist in these policies it pursues, the Government of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania decided to sever diplomatic relations with the State of Qatar,” the statement concluded.
Jordan downgrades diplomatic representation in Qatar
AMMAN: Jordan on Tuesday announced that it’s downgrading its diplomatic representation in Qatar and withdrawing the license of Al Jazeera channel in the Kingdom, state news agency, Petra, reported.
Minister of State for Media Affairs Mohammad al-Momani said the decision was taken following a review of the reasons of the crisis between Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain on one hand and Qatar on the other.
Achieving regional peace and stability and having Arab countries agree on common policies that end crises in the Arab region will remain top priorities Jordan will tirelessly work to fulfill, Al-Momani, who is also the government’s spokesman, added.
The minister said Jordan hopes that the Arab countries overcome this “regrettable stage” and resolve the crisis on a solid ground that ensures all Arab countries cooperate to build a better future fore their peoples.
Comoros cuts diplomatic ties with Qatar
MORONI: The Union of Comoros cut the diplomatic ties with the State of Qatar on Thursday, joining several others in severing ties with the Arab country.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Comoros, said in a memorandum addressed to the Embassy of Qatar in Moroni that the “the decision to severe ties is effective from Wednesday.”
Djibouti downgrades diplomatic relations with Qatar
DJIBOUTI: The Republic of Djibouti announced on Wednesday that it will downgrade its diplomatic representation with Qatar.
The Government of Djibouti said in a statement that the decision to downgrade diplomatic representation with Qatar was made in solidarity with the international alliance against terrorism and the GCC and Arab countries that joined the move.
Djibouti renewed its keenness to maintain good relations with Arab countries.
Djibouti’s step came after the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Egypt severed relations with Qatar on Monday. They were later joined by Yemen, the Libyan interim government, the Maldives, Mauritius, Mauritania and the Comoros. Jordan also announced a reduction in its diplomatic representation with Qatar.
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