The Slovenian government announced Tuesday that it will refuse to allow the transit of migrants across its territory from midnight, apart from "humanitarian" exceptions, in a bid to shut off the Balkan migrant route.

Access to Slovenia will now only be granted to "foreigners meeting the requirements to enter the country", those wishing to claim asylum, and migrants selected "on a case by case basis on humanitarian grounds and in accordance with the rules of the Schengen zone", a statement from the interior ministry said.