Bahrain denounces Swedish minister's statement against Saudi Arabia

Manama, Mar. 16 (BNA): The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has denounced the recent statement by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Sweden, Margot Wallström, at the Swedish parliament against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. "Such statements are considered a blatant interference and a rejected infringement against the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its judicial system, considering that any interference in the internal affairs of a Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) country is considered to be an interference in all GCC countries," the ministry said. "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stresses the importance of mutual recognition of state systems and institutions and the respect of cultural diversity among communities, and affirms that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which derives its rules from the Islamic Sharia, has laid the foundation that provides people with all rights and freedoms based on the values of justice, mercy and equality. The ministry calls for commitment to international conventions and diplomatic norms that strictly prohibit interference in internal affairs and do not permit it under any form," the ministry said.