Bahrain participates in 146th Arab League Council Ministerial meeting

Cairo, Sep. 8 (BNA): The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, affirmed that this delicate stage of the history of the Arab nation requires a serious review of the positions and decisions as well as formulating effective policies and developing plans and comprehensive strategies, based on the belief in the unity of objectives and interests and common destiny. This is in addition to bolstering solidarity and unity to resolve issues all within the Arab scale, including protecting countries and enhancing security and stability, as well as achieving the aspirations of the Arab peoples for a brighter and more prosperous future. This was during the speech of the Minister of Foreign Affairs at the conclusion of the 146th Ordinary Session of the Arab League Council at the Ministerial Level, held today at the Arab Republic of Egypt. Shaikh Khalid noted that Bahrain was keen during its chairmanship of the 145th session to make every effort to contribute to achieving those goals, pointing out that the work of this session began with an important step through consensus on the choice of Mr. Ahmed Aboul-Gheit, Secretary General of the Arab League, and witnessed the convening of the 27th Arab Summit (Hope Summit), capably hosted by Nouakchott. This is in addition to many of meetings were in the context of follow-up and interaction with all the issues and developments. The Minister of Foreign Affairs expressed his hope that the regional and international efforts continue to resolve the Palestinian issue, and to see more movement to pressure the Israeli side to stop the continued intransigence of increasing the pace of settlements and the siege as well as repeated attacks on the sanctity of Al Aqsa Mosque. This is in addition to reaching a just and comprehensive solution to the issue, to end the occupation and the establishment of the Palestinian independent state on the borders of June 1967 with East Al Quds as its capital, according to the Arab Peace Initiative and the implementation of the relevant resolutions of international legitimacy. On the Syrian situation, Shaikh Khalid affirmed that the Syrian people live a major tragedy and plight within its territory and beyond, stressing on the need to continue to work to secure humanitarian access to all areas of Syria and the neighboring countries hosting Syrian refugees, and the importance of communication and continuous coordination between the United States and the Russian Federation as a right and proper way to reach a peaceful political solution to the Syrian crisis in international forums and on the Syrian territories, stressing the important and central role of the Arab League to resolve the crisis. On relations with Iran, the Minister of Foreign Affairs said that he looked forward to the establishment of normal relations based on a commitment to good-neighborliness and the principles of international norms and the Charter of the United Nations, as well as mutual respect for sovereignty and independence. He demanded that Iran cease immediately its interference in the internal affairs of Arab countries, and to refrain from practices that affect national security, denouncing attempts by Iran and its quest to politicize Hajj through repeated hostile remarks by senior Iranian officials, praising the great and the tireless efforts made by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to safeguard all the pilgrims and provide all means for the success of the pilgrimage season. In relation to the Republic of Yemen, the Minister of Foreign Affairs strongly condemned the steps taken by the coup, that would further strain the situation, stressing the Kingdom's commitment and obligation to participate within the Arab Coalition for the Defense of the Legitimacy in Yemen until the legitimate government is able to extend the influence of the state on the entire territory of Yemen. This is in addition to activating the role of national institutions, stop foreign interference, to ensure the return of security and stability in this brotherly country and reach a political solution, according to the Gulf initiative and mechanisms of the executive and the outputs of the National Dialogue and Security Council Resolution 2216. In regards to the situation in Libya, Shaikh Khalid affirmed the keenness on the security, stability and unity of Libya, and that he looked forward to that the Government of National Reconciliation receives support from all political parties and the approval of the Council of Representatives of Libya, as well as to unite all efforts to promote national reconciliation and building a modern Libyan state, and restore security and stability and eliminate terrorist groups. The Minister of Foreign Affairs pointed out that everyone shares the challenge of the fight against terrorism and its consequences, including the need to take collective, decisive and realistic action in order to eliminate terrorist groups and drying up support and funding, and not to give them the opportunity to reach their goals and their quest to destabilize security and stability as well as compromising unity and disperse the people of our nation, by broadcasting sectarian strife and distort the Islamic religion, which is against them and their odious values. The Minister of Foreign Affairs then passed the Presidency of the Arab League Council at the Ministerial Level on to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Tunisia, Khamis Al-Jehinawi. The Ministerial Council issued a statement condemning the hostile statements of the Iranian Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, which emphasized the tendentious accusations, allegations and campaigns carried out by Iran were contrary with the values and principles of Islam, which calls for compassion, love and brotherhood, as well as inconsistent with the principles of good neighborliness policy that does not help to build a constructive relationship among Islamic countries. The Ministerial Council discussed a number of topics on Arab action, particularly the development and reform of the Arab League mechanisms, in addition to the consultation on the Palestinian issue, the developments of the situation in Syria, Libya, Yemen, and Iran's occupation of the three Arab islands belonging to the United Arab Emirates, Iran’s interference in the internal affairs of Arab countries and ways of maintaining Arab national security and counter-terrorism.