Iranian parliament condemns idea of Bahrain-Saudi union

TEHRAN, May 15(MNA) -- One hundred and ninety Iranian MPs issued a statement on Sunday strongly condemning the decision made by Persian Gulf Arab states to discuss a proposal for a closer political union that could begin with Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. Saudi Arabia and Bahrain weighed the issue of establishing a closer political union at a summit of Persian Gulf Arab leaders on Monday in Riyadh organized to pool efforts to neutralize popular uprisings against despotic monarchist systems. Bahraini Information Minister Samira Rajab told AFP on Saturday, “The idea of a (Persian) Gulf union will be on the agenda of the summit in Riyadh.” “This union could start with two or three” members of the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council, she said, adding that the proposal for a Persian Gulf union put forward by Saudi King Abdullah was “backed by Bahrain.” Bahraini Foreign Minister Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa said on Sunday, “The summit will discuss all the points, including the points of union.” The Iranian MPs’ statement said, “The religious and fearless Bahraini people, especially the Bahraini youth and brave women, over the past 15 months showed that their Islamic zeal, national loyalty, raised fists, and shouts of ‘Allahu Akbar’ (God is the Greatest) are more powerful than the invading powers and occupying forces, especially the Saudis. “The clear proof of this fact is the failure of the Peninsula Shield Force, Pakistani mercenaries, and other forces that invaded Bahrain to crack down on the oppressed Bahraini people and killed tens of people, wounded hundreds, and imprisoned thousands of others but were not able to bring the brave Bahraini people to their knees and break their iron will. “Today, Saudi Arabia, after its humiliating failure, has decided to form a union with Bahrain, which is an independent Muslim Arab country and a member of the United Nations.” The statement also said, “We, the representatives of the great Iranian nation, strongly condemn this unwise move and emphasize that nations cannot be silenced through force and political pressure.” The MPs also expressed full support for the Bahraini people and the independence and territorial integrity of the Arab country.