Cabinet denounces terrorism, urges concerted anti-terror efforts

Manama, June 29 (BNA): The cabinet has affirmed that terrorism and extremist groups aim to destabilise countries and sow sedition among their citizens, calling for concerted international efforts to counter terrorism and terrorists firmly and vigorously. Chaired by His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa at the Gudaibiya Palace today, the cabinet stressed unity and cohesion among members of the society to fend off sedition. Following the session, the Secretary-General of the Cabinet Dr. Yaser bin Essa Al-Nasser stated that HRH Premier had issued directives to the competent sides to take firm action against terrorism, review security measures and be more cautious and vigilant. The cabinet strongly condemned and denounced the criminal terror blast that targeted worshippers at the Imam Al-Sadiq Mosque in Kuwait, leaving hundreds of innocent people either killed or injured. It stressed that such an evil terrorist act, as well as those who carried it out or incited it, had nothing to do with Islam as it encroached on the sanctity of houses of worship and was void of humane feelings, stressing that the deviant extremist ideology is alien to Islam and Muslims. The cabinet offered its condolences and consolation to the Kuwaiti Amir, government, people and the martyrs’ families, wishing the wounded speedy recovery. It reiterated the Kingdom’s full-fledged support to brotherly Kuwait and backing of all measures it deems necessary to reinforce its security and stability, stressing that the security of Kuwait and that of Bahrain are integral and indivisible. The cabinet expressed confidence in the ability of the State of Kuwait, under the leadership of Shaikh Sabah Al Ahmed Al Jaber Al Sabah, to address the consequences of the cowardly terror incident so that Kuwait remains an oasis of security and stability. The session also condemned the terrorist attack which targeted an aid convoy including the UAE Ambassador to Somalia, stressing that such a terror act contravenes all human principles and values. The cabinet also condemned the terror attack that hit a hotel in the Tunisian coast city of Sousse, and claimed the lives of foreign tourists and Tunisian citizens. The session expressed solidarity with Tunisia, and support to all the measures it takes to ensure the security of its citizens and residents, offering condolences and consolation to the families of the innocent victims, and the Tunisian people. The terror attack which targeted a gas factory in Lyon, France, killing one person and injuring another, was also denounced by the cabinet which expressed solidarity with France. In another context, HRH the Prime Minister issued directives to keep up the outstanding efforts exerted by the kingdom, in cooperation with the international community, within the important conferences organised by the United Nations on issues pertaining to sustainable development, environment and climate change for the sake of achieving better living standards for humanity through sustainable development of the social, economic, environmental, health and cultural aspects of life. The development of such aspects will ensure decent life for humans within a safe environment, he said. In this regard, the cabinet reviewed a report on the preparations for the kingdom’s participation in the Third High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF 3), set to be held in New York, and the Third International Conference on Financing for Development, to be hosted by Addis Ababa. The “Bahrain Document”, adopted by the Second High-level Arab Forum on Sustainable Development, held in May, and included in the Post-2015 Development Agenda, to be approved by the UN Summit in New York in September, will be introduced during the meetings. The session approved a draft decree on the re-organisation of the Bahrain Exhibition & Convention Authority (BECA) and the Tourism sector at the Industry and Commerce Ministry. They will be merged under the “Bahrain Authority for Tourism and Exhibitions”. The panel, to be run by a board of directors, appointed as per an edict by HRH Premier, will be chaired by the Industry and Commerce Minister, and will be in charge of tourism, conferences and exhibitions affairs. BECA and the Supreme Council for Tourism will be cancelled. The cabinet endorsed a draft edict on the issuance of the regulatory bill of public radio stations. The bill provides the best practices on the establishment of radio masts, and reduces their number through using the same mast by more than a telecommunications company. The session also endorsed a draft edict on the issuance of the executive bill of law 49/2014 on Post, and approved a proposal to establish a youth centre in Busaiteen.