Details of severed ties with Iran to be announced later

Manama, Jan. 4 (BNA): The Government of Bahrain stressed resolve to continue implementing its programme of redirecting subsidies to benefit citizens. Information and Parliament Affairs Minister Isa bin Abdulrahman Al-Hammadi confirmed the policy in a bid to improve the financial situation by slashing spending, developing Government revenues and boosting productivity. Based on the memo submitted by the Minister of Energy, Al-Hammadi said that the plan to redirect electricity and water subsidies, scheduled to take effect in March, will generate an estimated BD 171 million in the next four years. Commenting on the decision to sever diplomatic ties with Iran, he said that the Cabinet assigned the Foreign Ministry to take the necessary measures, adding that details will be announced at a later date. The decision to sever diplomatic ties has not been made in a vacuum or taken haphazardly, citing the history of flagrant and repeated Iranian interference in Bahrain's internal affairs and support to some terrorist groups. He cited the 1.5 tonne cache of high-grade explosives which was unearthed on September 30, pointing out that investigation revealed Iran's involvement in aiding and abetting terrorists and providing them with logistic support. Police rounded-up five terrorists involved in perpetrating the Sitra bombing which left two on-duty policemen dead and six others wounded. The minister said that police investigation revealed Iran's continuous support, which reflects the extent of its interference in Bahrain's internal affairs. "Senior Iranian officials' hostile statements, blatant interference and support to terror groups in the region over the past years have led to the establishment of a pan-Arab alliance to protect our countries and the Arab region", he said. He cited the recent hostile statements and blatant interference in the sovereign internal affairs of Saudi Arabia, which prompted Bahrain to announce the decision to sever diplomatic relations.