Manama, July 31 (BNA)— State Minister for Communication Affairs Shaikh Fawaz bin Mohammed Al Khalifa directed to set up a follow-up and coordination office at the State Ministry for Communication Affairs which will work, starting from tomorrow Thursday (August 1), on carrying out the recommendations of the National Assembly to enforce legal procedures against anyone who misuses social networking systems and tampers with Bahrain’s security and stability.

This came as he chaired the ministry’s coordination meeting which convened in the presence of representatives from the Interior Ministry, the Information Affairs Authority, the Public Prosecution and the Ifta and Legislation Authority, in line with the cabinet’s resolution taken in its extraordinary meeting which was chaired yesterday by His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa.

Shaikh Fawaz said the establishment of the coordination office will contribute to ensuring coordination between ministries, government bodies and the communication companies in Bahrain to expedite work and take the necessary measures.

The ministry stressed that it has embarked on taking key executive measures such as creating a hotline (80008885) and an e-mail (hotline@mosc.gov.bh) for the people in Bahrain to report any websites or accounts inciting violence and terror acts, jeopardising people’s life and public interests and targeting national unity and civic peace.

Shaikh Fawaz stressed that Bahrain will always remain the land of freedoms and freedom of expression and its human rights record will remain high as the steps taken do not aim to encroach on freedoms but to hold anyone who exploits the climate of freedom and openness to support terrorism accountable.

AOQ