BAHRAIN’s government has come under fire from Islamist MPs, who accused it of supporting French military action against Muslim fighters in Mali.

The GDN reported last week that Bahrain had pledged $10 million to two United Nations (UN) support funds for Mali’s defence and security forces, as well as those of the African-led International Support Mission.

Foreign Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa announced the support during an International Donors Conference in Mali, where France is leading a military effort against Islamist rebels in the north.

France deployed 3,500 ground troops, fighter jets and armoured vehicles last month after the rebels advanced south and the Malian government asked Paris for help.

However, Bahraini Islamist MPs yesterday criticised the country’s support for the international operation in Mali and claimed it should be doing more to support the uprising in Syria instead.

MP and president of parliament’s Al Menbar bloc – which is affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood – Dr Ali Ahmed was among those angered by the move.

“All we see coming out of the Foreign Ministry is double standards, as they are not helping our Muslim brothers in Syria and are instead helping the French attack Muslims in Mali,” he said as parliament sat yesterday.

His fellow bloc member MP Mohammed Al Ammadi argued that Shaikh Khalid should be questioned in parliament about the decision.

“We see them agreeing to give financial support so the French can hit Muslims in Mali,” he complained.

“Shaikh Khalid has to be grilled for such decisions. No-one knows what diplomatic measures it follows.”

They argued that Bahrain was not doing enough to support the Syrian people, despite an announcement last Wednesday that $20m was being donated to help Syrian refugees.

In addition, Bahrain is setting up a psychiatric clinic to support refugees and building four schools and 500 shelters for Syrian refugees in Jordan.

However, parliament second vice-chairman Shaikh Adel Al Maawada mocked the country’s support for Mali.

“Bravo is all I can say at the decision to provide financial support to attack Muslims in Mali,” he said.

MPs also accused Bahrain of failing to kick out Syria’s ambassador, although a Foreign Ministry representative said this had already been done based on an agreement reached by all GCC countries.

“Syrian embassies continue to be operative because there are Syrians living in the Gulf who need assistance,” he said, stressing that no new Syrian ambassador had been appointed.

The Tuareg rebel group MNLA has been fighting for a Tuareg homeland and seized part of Northern Mali last year before joining forces with Islamic militants when the Malian government collapsed.

The Tuaregs later split with the militants when they imposed conservative Islamic law in the north and the MNLA now says it backs the French military operation in Mali.
mohammed@gdn.com.bh