HRH Premier urges national unity, cohesion

Manama, Dec. 29 (BNA): His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa has affirmed that the current situation and the multiple challenges facing the region require in-depth analyses of the political, economic and security conditions and adopt everything that consolidates national unity and strengthen Bahraini people's cohesion. "Such unity is our asset for the future and the bulwark that fortify us against the repercussions of regional development," he said, urging collective cooperation to carry on the development and progress in the kingdom. "Our unity is the secret of our strength, and the cohesion between the leadership and the people has protected Bahrain and thwarted efforts to fragment its people and divide it religiously," he said, calling for caution as "such attempts will be repeated." While other countries have been caught up in dealing with problems, and neglected their priorities towards their peoples, Bahrain's main focus has always been on its people whose service is its ultimate goal, he stressed. Receiving scores of citizens, HRH the Prime Minister affirmed that Bahrain is blessed with a people whose members love their nation and are dedicated in its service. "A country with a highly aware and patriotic people as such is capable of overcoming all challenges and emerging stronger and more capable of attaining continuous successes," he explained. The Prime Minister asserted that the Bahraini people has always been –and will remain- a master of its own will; not a subordinate to any other side, calling for the need to focus on ways to ensure the nation's integrity, security and stability, and exert more efforts to enhance its progress and optimise gains attained under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. HRH Premier emphasised that fulfilling the Bahraini people's aspirations and safeguarding the kingdom's safety and security top the government's agenda, and urged unified stances and concerted efforts to leave no loophole for attempts to sow divide among the citizens of the same nation as some parties, he said, accepted to be used as tools in the hands of others against their homeland. On economy, HRH Premier underscored the government resolve to carry on its strategy to diversify the sources of income through focusing more on industrial, investment and tourism sectors, noting that the current economic conditions caused by the decline in oil prices have made many countries, including Bahrain, to review its financial policies in order to overcome their negative impacts. HRH the Prime Minister expressed pride in journalists and columnists, and praised the pioneering role played by the national Press in enlightening the public opinion and raising social awareness on national and Arab issues, affirmed his constant keenness to read all the issues they raise, the ideas they express and the analyses they make for the sake of optimising national achievements. HRH Premier called on columnists to document their articles and ideas in order to inspire the coming generations and give them lessons in loving the nation and defending its security and stability, as well as inform them about the developments witnessed by Bahrain and its society at all levels.