The Minister of Foreign Affairs Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa along with GCC Secretary General Dr Abdulatif Rashid Al Zayani held a press conference following the 125th session of the GCC Foreign Ministers meeting and the joint meetings held between the GCC Foreign Ministers and both the Jordanian and Moroccan Foreign Ministers.
During the press conference Shaikh Khalid lauded the efforts exerted by Saudi Foreign Minister Saud Al Faisal that he said contributed towards further developing joint GCC work. He also lauded the efforts exerted by the GCC Secretary General within the same context and towards fulfilling the aspirations of GCC people.
The Foreign Minister affirmed during the press conference the support by all GCC member countries’ for the Kingdom of Bahrain and their condemnation of the terrorist acts that it had witnessed lately.
He said that the noble speeches by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa affirms the sovereignty of the law highlighting with that the various opportunities for dialogue that he had presented but with no avail. However, he also indicated that the door for dialogue cannot remain open with the escalation of violence and terrorism. With regards to the announcement of the GCC Federation, the Foreign Minister indicated that this would be made during a separate meeting in Riyadh. Meanwhile, in relations to the meetings held between GCC Foreign Ministers and foreign ministers from both Jordan and Morocco, Shaikh Khalid affirmed that these meetings have further widened the horizons of joint cooperation in various fields which would continue for the five coming years.
For his part Dr Al Zayani during the press conference reviewed the topics that were discussed during the GCC Ministerial meeting in a move towards presenting them to the GCC heads of states at their upcoming GCC summit.
The GCC Ministerial Council in a statement condemned the terrorist bombings that took place in Manama, November 5 which claimed the lives of several innocent people.
The council extended its condolences to the leadership, the people of the Kingdom of Bahrain and families of the deceased while wishing survivors a speedy recovery. Meanwhile, the council also lauded the ability of the kingdom’s security bodies and its managing of this situation. Moreover, the council renewed its full support for the Kingdom of Bahrain and its people in its efforts aimed towards preserving its national unity and embedding security, stability and the protection of both people’s lives and property. It also affirmed that the security of the Kingdom of Bahrain was integral of the GCC member countries security and refuted all types of terrorist activities. The council also called upon the unification of efforts towards the combating of terrorism and the enforcement of all decisions related to that.