Shura Council backs measures to protect Bahraini citizens; territorial waters

Manama, Dec.13, (BNA): The Shura Council said that Qatar’s targeting of Bahraini citizens reflects its hostility and non-respect of the principles binding GCC countries and amount to blatant violation of international laws and norms. Chaired by Shura Council member Youssef bin Ahmed Al-Ghatam, the Foreign Affairs, Defence and National Security said Qatar’s arbitrary targeting of Bahraini fishermen threatens the Kingdom’s security and jeopardizes citizens’ livelihoods. “The Kingdom of Bahrain reserves the right to take whatever it deems appropriate to preserve its rights, and the rights of citizens following the blatant encroachments on the territorial waters, which are a national wealth and source of livelihood for many citizens”, it said. It said that the repeated attacks on the Kingdom’s citizens reflect clear hatred towards Bahrain, adding that these attacks follow a series of systematic and continuous targeting of Bahrain and its people, and undermines the principles of good neighborliness and laws related to the seas. The committee voiced full support to all measures which will be taken by competent official authorities to protect citizens and national resources and defend the territorial authorities.