Bahraini lawmakers lash Qatari hostility

Manama : Parliamentarians yesterday strongly condemned the hostile acts of Qatari jets against civilian aircrafts in the region. 

In a joint statement issued, the lawmakers said: “The House of Representatives strongly condemns the hostile behaviour of the State of Qatar against UAE civilian aircrafts, which also resulted in endangering the safety of regional civil aviation and  the lives of innocent people.” 

The Council affirmed that the interception is a violation of international conventions, norms and humanitarian values.

Bahrain, the lawmakers said, will support all measures taken by the UAE to maintain its security and stability.

Qatari fighter jets, on January 15, intercepted a UAE flag carrier en route to the Manama forcing both the UAE and Bahrain to file complaints against the country at the UN aviation agency. Qatari officials, however, denied the incident.  

In a formal complaint to the UN’s International Civil Aviation Organisation, the Emirates said that Qatari acts were a violation of the Chicago Convention, which governs the use of airspace. 

Even though Qatari officials denied the incident, Bahrain’s Civil Aviation Affairs in Transportation and Telecommunications Ministry released radar tracks proving the interception. 

According to the recordings released by Bahrain’s state television, Emirates flight No. EK837 was flying from Dubai towards Bahrain International Airport at 3,170 meters (10,400 feet). The footages also showed Qatari fighter jets flying at around 2,590 meters (8,500 feet) and crossed briefly in front of the Emirates plane’s flight path. 

The MPs also warned in their statement that the “practices of the Qatari regime and its disregard for international laws cannot be tolerated, which at the same time also proves that the hostile Qatari practices are a threat to the peace, security and stability of the region”.