US lists ‘Al Ashtar Brigades’ as terrorist group

Manama : Bahrain yesterday welcomed the decision by the ‘United States Department of State’ to designate Bahraini individuals affiliated with ‘Al Ashtar Brigades’ group as Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGT), under Executive Order 13224. 

“The decision reflects the positive stance of US to combat terrorism and to confront all those who commit terrorist acts,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

The ministry also said that it is expecting a similar response from its international partners.

“The ministry calls for the adoption of a holistic strategy from the international community to eradicate the root causes of terrorism and drain its funding resources,” the statement added.

GCC backs US decision

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) also backed the US decision, noting that it reflects US administration’s firm supportive stance towards Bahrain’s efforts to combat terrorism in the region.

“The decision by the US  Department of State to designate Bahraini individuals affiliated with the terrorist  group as Specially Designated Global Terrorists proves the US administration’s support to the Kingdom’s efforts to suppress  terrorist organisations,” said Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al-Zayani.

The GCC chief also lauded the successful efforts by Government to expose the conspiracies and campaigns targeting the security of the Kingdom. 

GCC rejects Swiss statement

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Alzayani strongly condemned the statement by the Swiss representative regarding the situation of human rights in the Kingdom of Bahrain, before the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC).

“The GCC member states reject the allegations cited in the Swiss statement, which disregarded Bahrain’s dedicated efforts to protect human rights in compliance with the international standards,” he said.

The GCC Secretary-General also called upon the Swiss Government to obtain information regarding human rights from credible, not suspicious sources.

He said that the GCC states look forward to meet the Swiss Government for reconsidering its allegations and rethink its repeated discrediting of Bahrain before the UNHRC.