Qatar disowns tourism official’s comments on visas for ‘enemies’

Doha will not grant visas to those it considers “enemies,” a Qatari tourism official said in reference to Egyptians seeking to enter the country. Akbar al-Baker said Qatar would not let Egyptians enter the country to take part in promotions that aimed to boost its tourism industry, Reuters reports.

“The visa will not be open for our enemies, it will be open for our friends,” Baker said of Egyptians looking to travel to Qatar.

Qatar’s government communications office later said that Baker’s comments did not reflect the state’s official policy for issuing visas and that it welcomes “all people of the world.”

Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt cut diplomatic and trade ties with Qatar in 2017, accusing it of supporting terrorism. Doha denies the allegation.