Bahrain backs Britain

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, yesterday received a phone call from the UK Minister of State for the Middle East at the Foreign and  Commonwealth Office, Dr Andrew Murrison.  The minister expressed his sincere congratulations to Dr Murrison, on his appointment as Minister of State for the Middle East at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, wishing him every success in carrying out his duties.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs noted the distinguished and proceeding path of the close historic friendly relations between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the United Kingdom, in addition to its diversity that includes all aspects of political, economic, security and other areas. “The strong relations underline the depth of bilateral co-operation and promote the common interests of the two friendly countries and peoples, affirming the keenness of the Kingdom to continue consultations and joint co-ordination on various regional and international issues.”

Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa reiterated Bahrain’s condemnation of Iran’s detention of a UK tanker in the Strait of Hormuz, stressing Bahrain’s strong solidarity with the United Kingdom against those who threaten its security, and strong rejection of Iran’s repeated practices that threaten the safety of maritime navigation and undermine international peace and security. Dr Andrew Murrison expressed his sincere thanks and appreciation to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and his pride in the friendly relations between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the United Kingdom and the progress it is witnessing at various levels, wishing the Kingdom of Bahrain continued advancement and prosperity.

In a related development, Saudi Arabia said that Iran’s interception of commercial vessels, including its seizure of a British tanker, in Gulf waters was a violation of international law and urged the global community to deter such actions. “Any disruption of the freedom of international maritime traffic is considered a violation of international law and the international community must do what is necessary to reject it and deter it,” the Saudi cabinet said in a statement carried on state media.

Iran said on Friday it had seized Britain’s Stena Impero tanker, which had been heading to a port in Saudi Arabia and suddenly changed course after passing through the Strait of Hormuz at the mouth of the Gulf. Britain described the seizure as an act of “state piracy” and called for a European-led naval mission to ensure safe shipping through the world’s most important oil artery.