Posted inPolitics & Economics

Bahrain angry at Qatar’s citizenship offer

Bahrain warns nationals not to accept Qatari offer of citizenship amid ongoing dispute between Gulf states

Bahrain has seen near daily protests since the start of the unrest in early 2011
Bahrain has seen near daily protests since the start of the unrest in early 2011

Bahrain has warned citizens not to accept offers of citizenship from neighbouring Qatar in an ongoing high level dispute between the Gulf states.

Nationality, Passports and Residence Affairs Under-Secretary Sheikh Rashid bin Khalifa Al Khalifa said on Wednesday, Qatar had formally urged selected Bahraini families to change their citizenships, offering them “privileges”, Gulf Daily News reported.

Sheikh Rashid issued a statement warning the families not to switch allegiances, suggesting that the GCC pact that allows citizens the freedom to move and work in any of the six member states made changing nationality unnecessary.

Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and the UAE withdrew their ambassadors from Doha in March over claims Qatar was interfering in their internal security.

In his statement, Sheikh Rashid also emphasised an agreement signed on April 17 in which the GCC states agreed not to interfere in the internal affairs of other Gulf countries.

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