Arab Quartet backs Bahrain

Manama, Feb. 2 (BNA): An Arab League committee backed the measures undertaken by the Kingdom of Bahrain to maintain its security and stability. Convening for its fourth ministerial meeting in Abu Dhabi, the pan-Arab panel called on Iran to end its interference, reconsider its policy towards countries in the region and observe the principles of good neighborliness. The quartet urged Iran to stop interfering in the internal affairs of Arab countries and put an end to its policies that subvert stability, security and peace. It stressed necessity of respecting the national sovereignty of neighboring Arab countries, in compliance with the principles enshrined in the United Nations (UN) Charter and the international law. The committee voiced deep concerns over the flagrant Iranian interference in the internal Arab affairs, deploring the failure of the Iranian regime to respond to calls to reconsider its encroachments and subversive policies, which would undermine any possibility to build confidence between the Arab States and Iran. The committee commended the GCC-led initiative to engage a dialogue with Iran as expressed in the address delivered by the Amir of Kuwait Shaikh Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. It urged Iran to respond positively to the aforementioned initiative so as to lay new foundations for relations between Iran and the Arab World and bolster regional security and stability. The quartet voiced deep concerns over the sectarian polarization caused by the blatant Iranian interference in Syria, Iraq and Lebanon, which sparked chaos, led to instability and derailed international and regional efforts to settle crises through peaceful means as stipulated in relevant UN resolutions. The committee deplored the Iranian blatant violations of the UN Security Council Resolution 2216 on Yemen, shipping supplies of weapons to the coup militia. This flagrant violation subverts the international legitimacy, derails UN –led efforts to settle the Yemeni crisis, through peaceful means, and contravenes the principles governing interstate cordial relations. The meeting was attended by the Kingdom of Bahrain, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Arab League Secretary-General. (Courtesy of MoFA)