HM the King chairs cabinet meeting

Manama, Apr. 6. (BNA) – His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa chaired today the cabinet meeting, in the presence of His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister. HM the King reviewed domestic issues and the latest regional and global developments, following the launch of the "Operation Decisive Storm" in which the Kingdom is participating upon HM's orders in response to a call from the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and a request from the legitimate authority in brotherly Yemen, within the framework of the GCC Joint Defence Pact, the Arab League Charter and the Joint Arab Defence Pact. In a statement following the meeting, held at the at the Gudaibiya Palace, the Cabinet Secretary-General Dr. Dr. Yaser bin Essa Al-Nasser said that HM the King had affirmed that the "Operation Decisive Storm" was a necessary move to restore legitimacy and promote security in Yemen, and safeguard security and stability in the region. "It is an assertion of the firm principle of the non-acceptance of any foreign interference into the sovereignty of any Arab country, and rejection of any threats to the security of neighbouring countries," HM the King said. It also reaffirms that GCC and Arab countries stand united with the legitimacy of every Arab state, and reject any attempt to overthrow it or make any country a base for the influence and ambitions of other foreign regional powers whose goal is to tamper with the security and stability of the region, including that of brotherly Yemen, HM the King added. In this regard, HM King Hamad lauded with utmost appreciation the key role played by the affiliates of the Bahrain Defence Force (BDF), alongside their brothers in the Operation Decisive Storm, in carrying out their duties for the sake of achieving the expected military goals. HM the King confirmed that Bahrain will continue participating in the Operation Decisive Storm, along with other brotherly countries, until security and stability are restored in brotherly Yemen, and the Yemeni people is protected from the aggression of the terrorist militias. On the 26th Arab Summit, held recently in the Egyptian city of Sharm El-Sheikh, HM the King lauded its outcomes and resolutions, and noted that it was an historic summit by all means as it created an Arab awakening, paved the way for a new Arab project aimed at preserving Arab identity and integrity and launched a new way to deal with challenges targeting the Arab Nation. In a related context, HM King Hamad expressed hope that the Framework Agreement reached on the Iranian nuclear Programme would pave the way for a final and compelling agreement that would lead to the consolidation of regional and global security and stability. HM the King also informed the cabinet about his talks with US President Barack Obama in this regard. On local issues, HM King Hamad affirmed that the Kingdom has attained innumerable landmark achievements, and made successful strides in all development fields. In this context, HM the King extended sincere thanks to the government bodies for their tremendous efforts in this regard, urging to step up efforts to increase productivity and upgrade performance. While praising the tolerance and co-existence enjoyed by the Kingdom, HM the King stressed that Bahrain respects all religions and sects and will never ever be a cause of discord and division among the members of the one-family society. "The Bahraini society is a role model in the freedom of worship and openness, and those playing on the sectarian chord will never succeed. We all worship one God, and there is no difference between us whether in creed or sect," HM the King said. His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa extended sincere thanks and appreciation to HM the King for chairing the cabinet meeting to discuss the latest regional and global development, amid the critical situation and the challenges the region is currently facing. HRH Premier affirmed that the Kingdom's policy is based on extending bridges of cooperation with all, stressing that Bahrain harbours hostility to no one, and does not, in return, want others to interfere in its domestic affairs. "Bahrain is capable of overcoming all challenges and strengthening the pillars of security and stability as it is supported by a wise leadership and a highly aware people, whose members recognise what is going on in the regional neighbourhood," he said. He asserted that the government had taken all necessary measures and directed ministries to step up their preparedness since the issuance of the Royal Orders on the kingdom's participation in the Operation decisive Storm in order to prevent any attempt to exploit the regional developments to subvert domestic security and stability. HRH Premier lauded HM the King's directives aiming to ensure the interests of the nation and the citizens, affirming the government's keenness to make sure that its services benefit and cover all regions across the kingdom. He added that following the Royal directives, the government is doing its utmost to improve the quality of the services delivered to the citizens, and which are based on its action plan. In this regard, HRH the Prime Minister praised the landmark contributions of the Executive Committee, led by HRH the Crown Prince, in following up on the implementation of the Government Action Plan.