Shaikh Khalid was responding to a question that whether the deployment of GCC forces were taking part in maintaining the law and order he categorically said the forces were part of the GCC Joint Defence Agreement and have nothing to do with the internal security of the country.
“We have seen the terrorist actions in the country resulting in choking the day to day life and to bring everything under control through a Royal Decree. Bahrain will not tolerate any act of violence whatsoever,” he told a Press conference held at the Information Affairs Authority (IAA) premises for foreign media.
Defending the Government’s decision he said that for over a month the protesting political parties never heeded to the call of national dialogue spearheaded by the HRH Prince Salman Bin Hamad.
“The arrival of these forces to the Kingdom of Bahrain comes following the decision of the GCC Ministers for Foreign Affairs at their recent meeting for their united stand in the face of any danger in any of its countries, and from the collective responsibility of the GCC to maintain security and stability. Considering that the security of the GCC countries is indivisible.
“In the light of the unfortunate events that occurred in the Kingdom of Bahrain, it is the right of Bahrain as a member of the Cooperation Council to request the activation of the relevant Council conventions, such as the joint defense agreement (signed in Manama on December 31, 2000) to repulse any threats, and it’s the Council’s right and duty to initiate and responds to such a request within the single GCC system.
“Taking into account the nature of Bahrain’s stability, security which is an integral part of the security of the GCC, and its Statute, no one can ask any questions or raise any doubts regarding the arrival of these forces to the Kingdom of Bahrain which is based on the sovereign decision of the Kingdom and the common position of the GCC, which was confirmed by the Secretary-General of the Cooperation Council for the Arab Gulf States.
“The arrival of the Peninsula Shield forces to the Kingdom of Bahrain is in accordance with the principles and rules of international law, within the framework of respecting collective agreements and treaties, and is consistent with the principle of the full sovereignty and independence state, and is not in any way can be regarded as a foreign interference in internal affairs.
“These protesters through continued violence tried to push the country towards the very dangerous road and it was necessary to take certain measures to keeping the law and order under control,” he said.
Foreign Minister said that Bahrain had recalled its Ambassador to Tehran for consultation as Bahrain strictly believe in respecting the sovereignty of all countries expect same from all countries when it comes to Bahrain’s internal affairs.
“Iran’s statements are a blatant interference in the affairs of Bahrain and the thugs who sabotage and violate human rights are gangs made up of Bahrainis not subject to the authority of Iran, it is better for Iran to maintain its relations with neighboring countries and address its problems that are worst than Bahrain problems, and stop exporting its problems abroad.
“Recently Iran has so many demonstrations and Bahrain never issued any statement likewise unfolding events in Bahrain are internal matter of the Kingdom,” Shaikh Khalid said.
Warning about the sectarian divide in Bahrain he said such attempt would engulf the entire region and would be proved the most dangerous political ploy of some opposition parties.
The sectarian divide in Iraq, he said, has had impact on the entire region and no other nation should commit a mistake to repeat the same.
“National cohesion, security and stability are the most important ingredients of any democratic system and the seven political parties have never heeded to the call of national dialogue.
Shaikh Khalid reprimanded the irresponsible reporting by some TV channels and said that the media should act responsibly especially once covering events like that of Bahrain. Talking about the arrests he said that those instigated the protests would face arrests and there was no exact number of arrests made so far.
Referring to a case of Ibrahim Sharif he said that his matter would be decided by the court in the light of the charges including his alleged links with the foreign countries.
However, he said the attack on leader’s offices was not related to his arrest and the law enforcing agencies were investigating the arson attack on his office.
“The Kingdom of Bahrain is committed to the national dialogue. HRH the Crown Prince has waited months for the dialogue to start, but unfortunately his invitation has not been responded to except by putting forward impossible conditions. I would like here to emphasize that the dialogue will be open to all citizens after the return of normal life, security and civil peace.
“We thank the friendly and brotherly countries that supported the Kingdom in its call for national dialogue and their position towards the lawlessness and the efforts undertaken by the Kingdom with fellow GCC countries as part of the Peninsula Shield.”