Bahrain Calls for Freezing Qatar's GCC Membership, Says Doha Must 'Correct Approach'

Bahrain's Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa is greeted by Air Chief Marshal Chalit Pookpasuk in Bangkok, Thailand. (AP Photo)
Bahrain's Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa is greeted by Air Chief Marshal Chalit Pookpasuk in Bangkok, Thailand. (AP Photo)
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Bahrain Calls for Freezing Qatar's GCC Membership, Says Doha Must 'Correct Approach'

Bahrain's Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa is greeted by Air Chief Marshal Chalit Pookpasuk in Bangkok, Thailand. (AP Photo)
Bahrain's Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa is greeted by Air Chief Marshal Chalit Pookpasuk in Bangkok, Thailand. (AP Photo)

Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa chaired a national cabinet session on Monday during which he imposed visas on Qataris planing to visit Bahrain, reported Bahrain's official news agency (BNA).

Visas should be imposed on visitors from Qatar, from which the Kingdom of Bahrain has been the most affected by its policies that are clear to everyone, the King said, stressing that the tight security procedures will not be applied to visitors from other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries - Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

The King also stressed that defeating and eliminating terrorism are a priority, adding that the Kingdom of Bahrain will remain an oasis of security and stability, and will confront every cowardly action aimed at destabilizing its security and undermining its stability with firmness and force, a post-session statement by the Cabinet Secretary-General, Dr. Yasser bin Isa Al-Nasser, said.

King Hamad praised the kingdom’s openness to tourists and visitors and gave directives to the competent authorities to take measures that would prevent the misuse of the kingdom’s openness to harm its security and stability.

Measures include tightening entry and residence procedures in light of the current security requirements, including the imposition of visas in order to preserve the security and safety of the country, HM the King said.

King Hamad also said that Bahrain will not attend any summits or meetings attended by Qatar until the latter "corrects its approach".

The king's statement was the first of its kind to be issued by a Gulf leader since the ongoing crisis in inter-Arab relations -- pitting Qatar against a five-nation Arab bloc led by Saudi Arabia -- began five months ago.

"Qatar has shown that it does not respect the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)'s founding charter and continues to implement policies that threaten the security of GCC member states," the statement read.

“It is time to take firm action against those who are abroad,” he added.

This comes a day after Bahrain’s Foreign Minister Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa tweeted “the right step to maintain GCC is to freeze Qatar’s membership” on Sunday.

FM Khalifa tweeted: “Bahrain will not attend a summit and sit with Qatar, which is nearing Iran day after day and preparing foreign forces, which are dangerous steps for the security of the GCC countries.”

Bahrain believes Qatar is fomenting unrest in the island kingdom by supporting protests and even sporadic shooting and bombing attacks aimed at security forces.



Abbas Thanks Saudi Arabia for Role in France’s Historic Commitment to Recognize State of Palestine

French President Emmanuel Macron (L) shakes hands with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas at his headquarters in the West Bank city of Ramallah, on January 22, 2020. (AFP)
French President Emmanuel Macron (L) shakes hands with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas at his headquarters in the West Bank city of Ramallah, on January 22, 2020. (AFP)
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Abbas Thanks Saudi Arabia for Role in France’s Historic Commitment to Recognize State of Palestine

French President Emmanuel Macron (L) shakes hands with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas at his headquarters in the West Bank city of Ramallah, on January 22, 2020. (AFP)
French President Emmanuel Macron (L) shakes hands with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas at his headquarters in the West Bank city of Ramallah, on January 22, 2020. (AFP)

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas expressed on Friday his deep gratitude to Saudi Arabia’s efforts and honorable positions — under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister — that contributed to France’s historic commitment to recognize the State of Palestine.

Abbas welcomed the message from French President Emmanuel Macron that said France intends to recognize the State of Palestine during the United Nations General Assembly in September.

He praised this bold step as a significant step towards achieving peace based on the two-state solution, in line with international resolutions and international law.

This move is a victory for the Palestinian cause and reflects France’s commitment to supporting the Palestinian people and their legitimate, inalienable rights to their homeland, added Abbas.

He urged other countries to take similar actions by recognizing the State of Palestine based on the internationally recognized two-state solution and in line with relevant international resolutions.