Bahrain to stop issuing visas for Qataris: state news

Bahrain said it would stop issuing new visas to Qataris trying to enter the country, a further escalation of measures against its fellow Gulf Cooperation Council member. 

The state news agency BNA said Qatari students in Bahrain and those who already possess visas would not be affected by the new policy.

BNA also said the measure follows "hostile acts" by Qatar, but did not provide further details. 

Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt severed ties with Qatar last June over accusations of supporting extremism and being too close to rival Iran, charges Doha has denied.

The four countries enforced a blockade on Doha, closing land, sea, and air links to the country. Gulf states also ordered Qataris to leave within 14 days as well as calling home their own citizens.

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Tuesday's announcement follows an October measure that required Qataris to obtain entry visas and cited security concerns for the measure.

GCC citizens travelling within the bloc are otherwise not required to obtain entry visas. 

Agencies contributed to this report. 

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