The Bahraini parliamentary delegation, currently on a visit to the USA, met with US Congressman Senator Lindsay Graham who expressed delight at his visit to Bahrain last week where he held meetings with a number of senior officials.
Lindsay Graham said he was keen to be updated on the latest developments in the Kingdom, describing the incidents that gripped Bahrain recently as “regretful” because the “friendly Bahraini people is kind”.
He also asserted that he “understands” the measures taking by the kingdom of Bahrain following those events. During the meeting, members of the delegation briefed the US Congressman on the events that took place in the Kingdom recently, explaining that they were orchestrated by a foreign country which, driven by historical expansionist intentions, intended to undermine and disrupt security and stability across the region.
“The chaos and instability that prevailed in the Kingdom during those days were carried out by a group of people who were serving a previously set foreign agenda to topple the ruling system,” they said, adding that the declaration of the State of National Safety and the measures that followed were aimed at thwarting those malicious threats, re-establish order and stability and ensure that security and safety of citizens and residents.
Lindsay Graham expressed his full-fledged support for the calls aiming to contain the crisis through engaging in a National Consensus Dialogue bring together all parties, wishing Bahrain every success in this regard. The US Senator also said that violators should be brought to justice, stressing “fair and transparent” trials should be ensured. He also pointed out that a comprehensive national dialogue, engaging all parties and social group, is an advanced democratic practice, adding that it is the most suitable platform where all sides can show their good intentions. He also expressed confidence in the Bahrain people’s wisdom and keenness to prioritise national interests, calling upon all sides to respond positively to the call for dialogue and participate constructively in it.
Lindsay Graham thanked members of the delegation for clarifying the reality of the events in Bahrain, urging them to exert more efforts in order to convince all parties to take part in the comprehensive national dialogue, as the best means to promote security and stability in the kingdom and across the region. On his part, Chairman of the Shura Council’s Foreign Affairs, Defence and National Security Dr. Salah Ali said that the National Consensus Dialogue, due to start soon, was intended to engage all the components of the Bahraini society for the sake of ensuring the sustainability of stability and security. “It’s a dialogue that aims to optimize reforms and achievement agreed upon by all social groups.
He also affirmed that the kingdom has always been committed to reform that reaches out to all citizens and residents, in line with the pioneering Reform Project of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, expressing optimism at the positive outcome of the National Dialogue. “We are on the threshold of new era of reform and development in the kingdom,” Dr. Salah Ali also said, lauding the continuous support of the USA for the kingdom in its drive to launch the dialogue. Members of the delegation also reiterated the kingdom’s commitment to respecting human rights, emphasizing that Bahrain has adapted its laws and regulations so as to keep abreast of the concerned international laws out of its strong belief in importance of human resources.