Arab League backs Bahrain on security, reforms

The Arab League reiterated firm commitment to Bahrain’s security and stability.
The Arab foreign ministers issued a statement voicing support for the wise steps undertaken by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa to restore national security and stability.
The Arab League Council lauded the September 24 elections, saying that the forthcoming legislative polls would contribute to the consolidation of reform momentum and promote the results of the National Consensus Dialogue.
The pan-Arab panel hailed HM King Hamad’s initiative to set up the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry to reveal the truth underlying the recent events in Bahrain. Foreign Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al-Khalifa attended the council’s meeting in its session 136 in Cairo.
The council stressed the importance of committing to the basic parameters governing relations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Arab states as well as the principles of good neighbourliness, mutual respect, non-interference in the international affairs, peaceful settlement of disputes without threatening to resort to force.
The Arab foreign ministers voiced deep concerns over continuing provocative statements made by Iranian officials and mainstream media against the several GCC states, contravening rules of good neighbourliness, the principles endorsed in the charters of the United Nations and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.
They also called on Iran to stop provocative statements and media campaigns which erode relations and hamper the achievement of security and stability. Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan addressed the session, highlighting historic relations bonding Turkey and the Arab World.
He reaffirmed his country’s support for the Palestinians’ move to seek UN recognition of their state on the basis of the 1967 borders with Jerusalem as its capital.
He also reiterated Turkey’s commitment to lifting the illegal siege of Gaza, urging a pan-Arab stance in support of Turkey’s plan to seek a ruling from the International Court of Justice on the illegality of Gaza blockade.