Bahrain’s envoy lashes out at Iran over terrorism

Dushanbe/Manama : Bahrain’s envoy yesterday criticised the involvement of countries, including Iran, in supporting terrorism, saying Iran and its terrorist organisations are trying to “destabilise security and stability” of Arab countries, including Bahrain. 

This came during a speech made by the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Regional and GCC Affairs, Ambassador Waheed Mubarak Sayyar at the second session of the Arab Economic and Cooperation Forum with the countries of Central Asia and the Republic of Azerbaijan in Dushanbe. The form was opened by President Emomali Rahmon.

Addressing the session, Waheed Mubarak Sayyar told the member countries that there is an urgent need for “uniting efforts to combat terrorism in all its forms and drain its sources of funding”.

He also touched on the need to intensify political consultation and unify joint efforts globally with regards to regional security and stability, topped by the Palestinian cause.

The ambassador also demanded Iran to end its occupation of the three Emirati islands (Greater Tunbs, Lesser Tunbs and Abu Musa), and respond to the calls of the United Arab Emirates to resolve the issue either through serious and direct negotiations or through  the International Court of Justice.

Moving on, Sayyar urged the participants of the forum to boost economic cooperation and investment in energy to meet the shared ambitions in addition to enhancing land, sea and air transportation to reinforce bilateral trade. 

In this regard, the Ambassador emphasized the success of the first session which was held in Saudi Arabia in 2014. 

The session ended with the Dushanbe Declaration that welcomed increasing economic cooperation in trade, investment, energy, renewable energy, transportation, food security, culture and fight against terrorism, calling for support of consensual political solutions to solve the crises in some Arab countries.

The declaration also stressed the need for strengthening coordination and consultation between the two sides and exchanging support on issues of common interest, in a way that would reinforce international security and stability.