Bahrain has overcome numerous challenges, says minister

Manama, Apr.18 (BNA): Information Affairs Minister Ali bin Mohammed Al Romaihi affirmed that Bahrain has overcome numerous challenges during the past seven years. Al Romaihi said in an interview with Al-Arabiya news channel that the past 48 hours have confirmed beyond any doubt the firm political will of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud to strengthen joint Arab action to face challenges in the region. He reiterated the role of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in facing all regional challenges, expressing optimism about Saudi Arabia's leading role of the Arab nation and enhancing its capabilities on development and progress. The minister said that there is a common vision between the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, to support regional issues and to protect Arab national security as a coherent and complete system. Al Romaihi stressed that the speeches of Their Majesties, Excellencies and Highnesses of the Arab countries at the 29th session of Arab League Council, hosted in Dhahran -Saudi Arabia on Sunday, confirm the Arab views on the threats facing the region. The minister added that the Kingdom of Bahrain faced many challenges in past years, however, it was able to overcome them successfully, with the exceptional vision of a leader who bet on the united internal front and won the bet despite all these challenges. In response to a question regarding Iranian threats to the Arab region, Al Romaihi pointed out that such threats will never stop, because the dispute is not with persons, but with (theocratic) ideology and concepts as Iran’s constitution stipulates "to export its revolution" to the region’s countries and this necessitates full Arab solidarity to confront such menace. The minister added that Iran might have succeeded in finding a foothold for itself in some media and political parties in Western countries, however, Iran will never succeed because it lost credibility. He cited the Kingdom’s achievement of being elected a member in the UN committee for NGOs, displacing Iran from that committee, added that this achievement was evidence of Iran’s inability to implement its expansionist agenda or to achieve its negative influence in the region and the world. The minister warned that the targeting of Arab countries and seeking to undermine their security and stability, stressing that the recent period witnesses such malicious attempts alas led by some Arab countries. In conclusion of the interview, the minister called on the international community to answer the call of His Majesty the King to participate effectively on the path of political settlement of the Arab and regional issues and crises, and halt external interferences in Arab affairs, ensure the legitimate rights of the peoples of the region and the world to secure, peace livelihood and development.