ID :
182090
Sat, 05/14/2011 - 11:09
Auther :

Iranian FM: Deployment of Foreign Forces in Bahrain Boosts Extremism in Region

TEHRAN, May 14 (FNA)- Iran's Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi condemned the occupation of Bahrain by foreign forces as a strategic blunder, and said the measure will lead to an increase in extremism in the region.

"Deployment of foreign forces in Bahrain is a strategic mistake and extremism is expected to run through the region and put it at risk if situation in Bahrain does not return to normal conditions and violent treatment with people continues," Salehi warned in a meeting with Iraqi counterpart Hoshyar Zebari in Baghdad on Friday.

Iran has already condemned arrival of military troops from Kuwait, the UAE and Saudi Arabia to quell popular protests in Bahrain.

Zebari on his part said, "we are all living in one region and what is underway in the region will influence everyone. We believe that demands of regional nations should be considered and their voice needs to be heard."

Also in another meeting with Iraqi Shiite National Coalition Leader Ebrahim Jafari, Salehi said, "arrival of military troops to Bahrain is in contradiction with sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of the country."

"We believe that there is no military solution to Bahrain and popular demands should be met," Salehi continued.

Also a number of Iraqi Shiite National Coalition members attending the meeting stressed prompt withdrawal of outsider military forces from Bahrain, respect for popular demands and the West's avoidance of biased treatment with regional developments.

Also in another session with Iraqi Parliament Speaker Osama al-Nujaifi, Salehi said, "We believe in collective security with presence of all regional nations."

During the meeting, Salehi stressed current planning would pave the way for providing bilateral interests of both Iran and Iraq.

Iraqi Parliament Speaker on his part said, "Iran is an important country and plays an influential role for security and stability in the region."

Bahraini security forces have been brutally suppressing anti-government protesters. So far, tens of people have been killed, hundreds of people have gone missing and thousands of others have been injured.

Demonstrators in Bahrain have been demanding constitutional reforms as well as an end to the 230-year-old monarchy, with hundreds camping out peacefully in the capital's Pearl Square since February 14.

Yet, tension has grown high after the Saudi military intervention in Bahrain. Bahrain, which hosts the US Navy's fifth fleet, is viewed as a very sensitive and determining factor in the power equations of the region.

To help the Bahraini government crush the anti-government protests, Saudi Arabia has deployed over 1,000 troops in the country.





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