According to the treaty which was signed in London on Thursday October 11, the UK government and the ruling regime of the tiny Persian Gulf island agreed to promote co-operation including training of military forces and exchanging intelligence.

The deal makes Britain responsible for maintaining security and stability in the Arab country by providing backing for its dictatorial regime.

Bahrain’s Foreign Minister Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmad Al Khalifa and the Britain’s Defense Secretary Philip Hammond signed the defense treaty in a ceremony, which was attended by Bahraini Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince’s court chief Shaikh Khalifa bin Daij Al Khalifa and Bahraini ambassador to the UK Alice Samaan.

Bahrain, the home to the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet, has been the scene of anti-regime demonstrations since February 2011, in which scores of people have been killed and many others arrested in the violent Saudi-backed crackdown.

Earlier this month in an interview with the Al-Alam news channel, Jordanian lawyer Jawad Younis, said Bahrain’s Al Khalifa regime is a protégé of the British intelligence agencies and an agent to serve the US interests in the region.

Furthermore, in September 2012, Katy Clark, the British Labour MP for North Ayrshire and Arran, called on the UK government to review its relationship with the regime, condemning Britain’s failure to support pro-democracy campaigns that are demanding the downfall of the ruling Al Khalifa family.

SSM/JR/HE