Security enhancement need of hour: Ahmed Al Saati

Manama

Bahrain needs to strengthen its security as Iran is posing a major threat to its security, said former parliamentarian Ahmed Al Saati. Welcoming the approval of the $150 million between US and Bahrain, he said the Kingdom has all the rights to strengthen its capabilities.

“Iran now has the freedom to buy more arms, especially after the nuclear deal it entered with the US. Also, Tehran will also have enough money to buy weapons as it would be free of trade and financial restrictions, which had been imposed earlier. Therefore, it is high time for Manama to strengthen its security, Ahmed Al Saati said.

Recently the Bahraini authorities had seized a shipment of arms and explosives supplied by Iran. This incident shows the necessity of strengthening the security of the Kingdom, he said. The former MP said that Bahrain has a significant role to play in the region, as the island is located in a strategic region, where major trade routes are located. “A lot of ships pass through this region. Therefore, security of this region also matters a lot,” he said.

 Bahrain clean on human rights

Criticising the human rights organisations, which have been opposing the US-Bahrain arms deal, he said Manama has a very clear record in mainiting the rights of its citizens. “It is wrong to link human rights issues with the arms deal,” he said. 

The deal will not only help Bahrain, but also the whole region, he said. “We can’t predict what the extremists can do in this region. We can’t wait until they cause the damage. Therefore, the wise decision of Bahraini leadership to secure its defence is commendable,” Al Saati added.