Bahrain FM slams Iran’s aggression

Manama : Minister of Foreign Affairs, Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, yesterday criticised Iran for making aggressive statements against Arab League. 

“Those who claim that the Arab league is useless are the same ones who are targeting to destabilise and overthrow Arab countries,” Shaikh Khalid wrote on Twitter in response to the statements made by Iranian President Hassan Rouhani. 

Rouhani, in a statement to state TV earlier, called the regional organisation of Arab countries as “old, worn-out, exhausted and ineffective.”

“Only Iran and Iran’s agents are screaming and cursing the Arab Leagues decision,” the Minister responded on his twitter handle. 

The Minister also warned that such acts would not have any effect on the Arab countries that are determined to defend their sovereignty. 

Earlier, during an emergency session of the Arab League in Cairo, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia have called on all to unite and confront Iran over its role in the regional conflicts. 

In a statement, Adel al-Jubeir, Saudi Foreign Minister, said Iran was aiming “to destabilise and fuel sectarian rift” in the region. 

He also warned that Saudi will not stand idly by in the face of the Iranian “aggression”. 

Saudi Arabia “will not hesitate to defend its national security to keep its people safe,” Jubeir said in opening remarks at the meeting.

During the meeting, Shaikh Khalid said that Hezbollah movement in Lebanon was “in total control” of the country.

“Iran’s biggest arm in the region at the moment is the terrorist Hezbollah arm,” he said.

He added that Hezbollah “does not just carry out operations inside the borders of (Lebanon), it also crosses its borders to all of our nations,” making it “a threat to Arab national security.”

The Minister also criticised officials in Lebanon for making irresponsible statements and urged to show more dignity in their statements. 

“Lebanon’s officials must come up with facts or honour themselves with silence. Their words are offensive to Lebanon and to the history of Lebanon,” he posted on his Twitter account.

Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates supported the Saudi request for the extraordinary meeting, which was also approved by Djibouti, the current chair of the pan-Arab bloc, according to a memorandum.