Make ME nuclear free zone: FM

Foreign Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa stressed the importance of a nuclear free zone in the Middle East, including the Arabian Gulf region. He noted the necessity for Israel to adhere to the treaty on the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons and to place its nuclear facilities under comprehensive International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards.

He noted the necessity for Israel to adhere to the treaty on the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons and to place its nuclear facilities under comprehensive International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards.  

Shaikh Khalid was speaking in the round table organised by the Kingdom’s Embassy in the UK yesterday. The meet, titled “Defense and Foreign Policy of the GCC States post the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA),” was attended by a number of the British House of Common and Lords’ members, researchers and media figures in the UK.

He said that the agreement between Iran and the 5+1 group on the Iranian nuclear programme in July did not eliminate all sources of tension resulting from Iran’s attitude towards the countries of the region. “It doesn’t address the real problems. Iran still interferes in the internal affairs of neighboring countries and fuels unrest.”

Shaikh Khalid referred to the recurring flagrant Iranian interference in the internal affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain and their exploitation of extremist groups. He cited the recent seizure of large quantities of explosives like C4, RDX and TNT smuggled into the Kingdom. He also pointed out the attacks targeting the people and security forces.

Commenting on the situation in Yemen, Shaikh Khalid highlighted that the Kingdom of Bahrain and other GCC countries provided support to Yemen in response to a request by its President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi.

He explained that the military confrontation was inevitable as there was no other choice open since all roads were blocked by the obstinacy of the rebel groups.

On Syrian refugee crisis, Shaikh Khalid said that the GCC States had taken comprehensive humanitarian action by hosting around three million Syrian people and granting them permits to stay. “They have been given right to free education and healthcare as well as the right to employment and a decent life,” he added.