Shura Council rejects interception of Bahraini vessels by Qatari patrols

Manama, Nov. 26 (BNA): The Shura Council has expressed its rejection of the interception by Qatari Coast and Border Security patrols of two Bahraini Coast Guard vessels taking part in a maritime exercise “Al Manaa’’, north of Fasht Al Dibal. In a statement, the Council condemned the Qatari action as a threat to security and peace in the Arabian Gulf region. The Council affirmed that the incident occurred in the territorial waters of Bahrain in accordance with the provisions of Law 8 / 1993 regarding the territorial sea of Bahrain and the adjacent area. The provisions of this law are still in force and have not been repealed or amended according to any other legislation, the Council added. Bahrain has the right to continue to exercise its sovereignty over its territorial waters and conceding or giving up any part of its territory is not permissible, according to the principles of the National Action Charter and the provisions of the Constitution of the Kingdom, the statement said. The Council renewed its call to the government of Qatar to respect existing laws, the relevant international norms, and the GCC agreements, regulations and decisions.