Premier: GCC's hands openly stretched to Arabs, Muslims

Manama, Jan. 18 (BNA): His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa has called for strengthening, reviving and activating cooperation among Arab countries. HRH the Prime Minister stressed that Saudi Arabia and Egypt are two pillars in the Arab world, and the stronger cooperation between them is, the better Arab interests are protected, in the midst of the multiple challenges to the Arab Nation. Hands are stretched to brothers only, and the hands of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, in particular Saudi Arabia, are openly stretched to all their brotherly Arab and Muslim countries, he said, adding that the hand of Egypt is outstretched to all its brotherly countries as well. The Prime Minister called for bridging any gaps that may affect cohesion among Arab countries, stressing that "Arabs need Egypt as much as Egypt needs them." HRH Premier made the statements while receiving, at the Gudaibiya Palace today, the Egyptian Foreign Minister, Sameh Shoukry, who extended to him an invitation from President Abel Fattah Al-Sisi and Prime Minister, Sharif Ismail, to visit Egypt. HRH the Prime Minister lauded the depth of the fraternal Bahraini-Egyptian relations, and the keenness of the two countries to bolster them in various fields in light of the support of their leaderships and governments in this regard. The Prime Minister asserted that Egypt represents the depth of Arab countries, and has a political weight in the region and the world, highlighting Bahrain's keenness to expand cooperation with brotherly Egypt in various fields. Sameh Shoukry conveyed to HRH Premier the stances of Egypt's presidency and government in support of Bahrain's security and stability, and their desire to enhance bilateral cooperation in all fields, especially the political, economic and military ones. "Bahrain's security is of the security of Egypt, and they are indivisible," the minister said. Meanwhile, HRH the Prime Minister and the Egyptian Foreign Minister expressed their rejection of all forms of interference in Arab affairs, and stressed the importance of political, economic and military cooperation in confronting the challenges facing the Arab Nation.