His Excellency Interior Minister General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, chaired the delegation of the Kingdom of Bahrain at the meeting of the forty-third session of the Arab Interior Ministers Council, which was held on Wednesday via video conference, in light of extremely complex regional circumstances, and the heinous Iranian aggression witnessed by the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, which is condemned by all international charters and humanitarian laws.
HE Interior Minister delivered the Kingdom of Bahrain's address, in which he stated:
At the outset of my remarks, I would like to express my gratitude to my brother, His Excellency, the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior of Kuwait, Sheikh Fahad Yusuf Saud Al-Sabah, the Chairman of the previous session, for his successful efforts that contributed to strengthening security cooperation among the council’s states.
I would also like to thank Dr. Mohammed bin Ali Koman, Secretary-General of Arab Interior Ministers Council, and the General Secretariat for their excellent preparation and follow-up of this meeting, which comes at a time when the GCC states and the brotherly Jordan are facing blatant and unjustified Iranian aggression, with missiles and guided drones, which constitutes a flagrant violation of the sovereignty and stability of our countries and transgresses international and humanitarian norms and conventions.
Bahrain, with God’s help, is steadfast and unwavering in the defence of its sovereignty and of its citizens and residents on its land, thanks to the wisdom and leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces. The national unity around the leadership of HM the King is the cornerstone of our cohesion that achieves for us the strength of national stability, noting the decisive and comprehensive measures taken by the esteemed government led by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, in dealing with the repercussions of the heinous Iranian aggression.
Since the beginning of the aggression on February 28, the valiant air defence systems of the Bahrain Defence Force have been engaged in intercepting Iranian missiles and drones. The Interior Ministry also activated its crisis management plans, transitioning from routine procedures to the immediate implementation of approved plans. Within a record time, the repercussions of this heinous attack were addressed. The attack resulted in the martyrdom and injury of a number of citizens and residents, terrorised innocent civilians, and targeted vital infrastructure and civilian sites, including airports, residential areas, energy, water, and electricity facilities, and vital economic projects. All this occurred while we maintained our position of not being drawn into a war in which we are not a party. The Interior Ministry’s efforts focused on protecting lives and property. Civil Defence and National Ambulance personnel worked around the clock to counter the repercussions of the Iranian aggression. The Civil Defence Council decided to strengthen civil protection measures as part of its commitment to engaging with all segments of society. Believing in the importance of maintaining a cohesive internal front, the Interior Ministry worked to enhance communication with all segments of society and reassure citizens and residents of all nationalities, using multiple languages as part of its security awareness campaigns.
Distinguished attendees,
The Arab Interior Ministers Council face a major challenge imposed by the repercussions of the war on our countries today. This requires us to enhance cooperation and coordination to protect our internal front and strengthen our joint security measures, an objective we aspire to achieve. This makes the continued development of cooperation and coordination mechanisms among us imperative, reflecting our shared goal and common destiny.
In conclusion, I extend my thanks and appreciation to the Interior Ministers who called and expressed their support for the Kingdom of Bahrain. I wish the Council every success and hope it will yield results that strengthen stability and bolster security.
The meeting's agenda included several aspects of security cooperation within the framework of joint Arab action, recommendations issued by meetings held within the General Secretariat, and the outcomes of joint meetings with Arab and international entities. Among the agenda topics were the Secretary-General's report on the General Secretariat's work between the previous and current sessions, and the draft of the second phase of the revised Arab strategy for combating terrorism. Before the session, a preparatory meeting was held and attended by the Undersecretaries of the Interior Ministries of the member states.
The Arab Interior Ministers Council issued a declaration at the conclusion of its 43rd session regarding the brutal Iranian aggression against Arab states. The declaration strongly condemned the cowardly Iranian attacks on Arab countries, which constitute a flagrant violation of their sovereignty, a blatant breach of international law and the UN Charter, and a serious threat to international peace and security. The Council emphasised its complete condemnation of this aggression and the deliberate Iranian targeting of civilian sites and infrastructure, which endangers civilian lives and has already resulted in civilian casualties, in flagrant violation of all rules of international law and the principles of good neighbourliness.
The Council strongly condemned Iran's repeated provocations against Arab states and its firm denunciation of Iran's practices aimed at destabilising security and stability in several Arab countries and undermining peaceful coexistence among the various components of Arab societies. It affirmed its full support for Arab states in confronting ongoing Iranian aggression and its complete endorsement of the measures they are taking to safeguard their security and stability, protect their territories, citizens, and residents, secure their national institutions and facilities, and exercise their legitimate right to self-defence.
The Council emphasised its rejection and condemnation of Iran's continued funding, arming, and deployment of its affiliated militias in several Arab countries to serve its own interests, which constitutes a serious threat to the security and stability of those countries and the region. It expressed its profound appreciation for the heroic performance of the armed forces, security forces, and civil defence agencies in Arab countries in responding to these attacks and its deep gratitude for the sacrifices they make to maintain security and stability and protect lives and property.
