Interior Minister hails Bahrain-US security cooperation

Manama, June 22 (BNA): Interior Minister General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al-Khalifa received today a delegation from the US-based Atlantic Council chaired by Director for Middle East Programmes and Director of the Rafik Hariri Centre for the Middle East at the council, William Wechsler. Chief of Public Security, Major-General Tariq Al Hassan attended the meeting. The minister welcomed the delegation, hailing the role of the council in conducting studies and analysis in homeland security and foreign policies to exchange expertise in the protection of international security and peace. The council is a think tank in the field of international affairs. It provides a forum for international political, business, and intellectual leaders. The minister highlighted the importance of the visit to exchange views about efforts to reinforce international counter-terrorism cooperation and achieving regional security and stability. He underscored that his last visit to the US in April was positive as part of the strong relations between the two countries and the common interest to develop them. He asserted that His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa had reinforced democracy in Bahrain in a way that support efforts to face challenges and strengthen good citizenship, loyalty and nationalism. He said that Bahrain would move forward towards a bright and secure future for all members of society as part of ongoing efforts to reinforce reform and justice. He reviewed security challenges and terrorism in the region, along with mechanisms to deal with them, highlighting the Iranian interference in the internal affairs of countries, including Bahrain through financing terrorist cells and supplying them with weapons and explosives, sheltering terrorists and train them at the Iranian Revolutionary Guards camps. He hailed security cooperation and coordination between Bahrain and the US, including the coast guard cooperation. He mentioned the steps taken by the Interior Ministry to modernise its security authorities and reinforce security cooperation in training, counterterrorism, promoting cybersecurity and fighting cross-border crimes. The meeting discussed security topics of common interest and the latest regional developments.