Manama, Nov 28 (BNA) — Minister of Interior Lieutenant-General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa today chaired the 32nd GCC Interior Ministers meeting, held in Bahrain, in the presence of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) General-Secretary, Dr. Abdullateef bin Rashid Al-Zayani.
Addressing the meeting, the minister underscored the regional political developments and their impact on the security situation in GCC countries.
Addressing the GCC ministers, Shaikh Rashid said that the meeting in Bahrain was taking place amid political developments in the region that could have serious consequences on regionals security.
“The initial agreement between the Republic of Iran and the superpowers over its nuclear files makes us expect these countries to explain to the leaders and people of the region that the accord that has been achieved serves regional security and stability and that it is not at the expense of any of the GCC states,” the minister said. “It is not a secret that we in Bahrain had felt foreign-linked threats to our security. We were able, praise be to God and thanks to our national willpower under the leadership of His Majesty the King, the high awareness level of our people and their string attachment to their national unity to address and contain the situation. We do appreciate the honourable and fraternal support of our brothers in the GCC countries,” he said.
“We had, throughout the security situation we had to endure, dealt with biased and unfair stances by some organisations and media under the guise of human rights and freedom of expression that aimed to tarnish Bahrain’s international reputation. They totally ignored all our achievements in protecting human rights, freedoms and people’s dignity.
“As you do know, the protection of lives and property is a national security responsibility that must be assumed. We have the right to ask: What did the world expect us to do when there are threats to our security and stability? What we did was exactly the natural response by any country to protect its legitimacy and defend its domestic security.
“Today, I say it loud and clear to anyone who attempts to get into the Gulf through Bahrain that they should know that Bahrain is the Gulf and that the Gulf is Bahrain. The most significant lessons that we have learned from the experience lived by the region are that there is an imperative to unify policies, positions and efforts to achieve further cooperation and unity. These can be achieved through genuine intentions and profound convictions. We should benefit from the invigoration of all the agreements in all areas as they reinforce national unity and boost progress and prosperity in the GCC states. In this regard, we inform the Council that the HM the King has ratified the GCC Security Agreement following all constitutional procedures.
“We have accomplished numerous achievements thanks to the progress of cooperation between our countries in the areas of security. These achievements constitute the foundations to build our security system to tackle threats and challenges. Such a step forward deserves to be lauded and the expression of gratitude to Their Royal Highnesses and Excellencies the Ministers of Interior in all sisterly states and to all the security personnel. We also thank HE the Secretary General of the GCC and the personnel at the GCC Secretariat General for their outstanding efforts.”
The GCC ministers discussed a number of topics to enhance joint security and consolidate cooperation and coordination in various security areas.
Dr. Al-Zayani said the GCC ministers extended their gratitude to HM the King, HRH Premier and HRH Crown Prince for hosting this meeting in the Kingdom of Bahrain and the gracious hospitality. He hailed the efforts of Shaikh Rashid in bolstering security cooperation at the meeting.
He said the participants discussed the GCC security agencies’s recommendations, adding they were fully aware of the security threats facing the Gulf region and the importance of mutual cooperating and coordination to address them.
He added they agreed to establish a GCC police force and to assign a work group from Gulf Interior Ministries to review the organizational, financial and administrative aspects of the project. The GCC police force will reinforce joint work and broaden cooperation between security authorities in the region.

MJ

BNA 2001 GMT 2013/11/28