International Crisis Group deputy director for the Middle East and North Africa Joost Hiltermann paid tribute to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa for the landmark reform he had undertaken.
He also hailed the implementation of the recommendations cited in the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI) Report. The ICG official made the comments as he met Foreign Affairs, Defence and National Security Deputy Chairman Mp. Abdulrahman Boumajid. He expressed the hope that the crisis would come to an end soon in Bahrain in a civilized and democratic way. The two sides discussed the internal security situation and the reform process led by HM the King ever since National Action Charter was approved by a sweeping popular majority in 2001. Mp. Boumajid described Bahrain as a fledgling democratic country where liberties and openness prevail. “Bahrain does not fear any international organization wishing to visit the King, providing they conform to the law”, he said. He reaffirmed the deputies’ readiness to cooperate with all international organization known for their impartiality to be updated on reforms and bold steps led by the Government to restore stability and promote the democratic march. Mr. Boumajid briefed the ICG official on the BICI recommendations which had been implemented in a record time. The two sides discussed the measures undertaken by the Government to restore stability and security and compensate affected people. The measures undertaken by the Interior Minister to upgrade its work mechanisms also came under the spotlight