Bahrain protests over confiscation of maps in Qatar

Bahrain has withdrawn its team from a Gulf exhibition for stamps currently being held in Qatar in protest over the confiscation of maps and stamps showing the Hawar islands, subject of a dispute between the two countries, as an integral part of Bahrain.

A high-ranking Bahraini official told reporters in Manama on Sunday that the confiscated maps do not include anything new except Bahrain's areas and islands, including Hawar island which is considered as an integral part of Bahrain.

For his part the deputy chairman of the Qatari stamp club, Hussein al-Ismaeli, said that Bahrain did not give an official reason for its withdrawal. He added, "It is evident that the withdrawal came as a reaction to preventing their stamps pertaining to Hawar island."

Al-Ismaeili added that Qatar was exposed to a similar situation four years ago at the second Gulf stamp exposition which was held in Bahrain, adding, "Despite that, Qatar continued its participation in the exposition."

Bahrain and Qatar have, since the 1930s, disputed over the three islands, but Bahrain has the actual control on them. The islands dispute is currently before the international court of justice waiting a resolution.