MANAMA: Bahrain’s business community is being asked to rally behind the country’s fight against terror for the sake of the economy.

That was the message delivered by His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa during a visit to the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry yesterday.

He said the future of private sector was being threatened by forces seeking to destabilise the country and disrupt national security.

The Premier called on the business community to express its rejection of violence, sabotage and terrorism and play an active role in defending the national interest.

His visit followed the announcement that tough new penalties including the death penalty for bombers who claim lives were approved by His Majesty King Hamad on Wednesday following an extraordinary session of the National Assembly.

“We should all stand united in enforcing tough penalties and protecting society, backed by the will of people,” said the Premier.

He added that “local hands” were being used as part of an external plot to destabilise Bahrain.

“The ongoing unrest hitting Bahrain is far from being a genuine grassroots reform movement, nor is it a legitimate call to improve living standards,” he said.

Prince Khalifa warned the business community of the damage that terrorism could do to the national economy and described the fight against terror as collective responsibility.

He added the rule of law needed to be enforced to ensure the country remained “business friendly” and continued to attract foreign investment.