Iranian meddling in Bahrain slammed

Algiers : Iran has become a place of shelter for criminals and fugitives, said Interior Minister Lieutenant-General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa yesterday.

Speaking at the 35th session of the Arab Interior Ministers Council here, he said, “Security personnel in Bahrain constantly deal with the systematic Iranian interference that targets our internal security and stability”. 

“The country breaks all international conventions and norms and has no commitment to the Interpol or its Red Notices. It has set itself above the law and offers its land and camps to train terrorists and traffic in weapons and explosives. This has been documented based on solid evidence,” he said. 

“The Iranian interference in our internal affairs takes various forms. Investments are made to provide cash in Bahrain to promote its power through individuals or organisations, or to give it to those committing terrorist acts,” he said.

“The Iranian schools work to promote the Persian culture and lay the groundwork for the youth who believe in the principles of the Khomeini Revolution and the Guardianship of the Islamic Jurist (Wilayat al-Faqih) and thus remain loyal to Iran,” he said. 

“The culture of sectarianism and extremism is spread on the excuse of protecting Shiites against the spirit of nationalism through the control of charity organisations and religious centres (Hawzat). This creates a base of the extremists loyal to the Iranian leadership and includes all sections of society, men and women, politicians, religious scholars, capitalists, professionals, writers and media personalities,” he said.

“Iran had wanted to ignite a sectarian crisis but by the grace of God we didn’t give it any opportunity to achieve its dangerous goal though their plots to achieve their aims are long-term ones. We have dealt with their interference at various levels through the solidarity and cooperation of all,” he said.

“We have today an agenda full of issues related to security plans and strategies that determine the joint Arab security work, including the Arab Security Agreement project submitted by the Kingdom of Bahrain,” he said.

The council praised the security authorities for foiling terror plots and eliminating terror groups and cells with foreign links, operating with the aim of disturbing the security and stability of the Arab nation. The council also affirmed cooperation to combat terror activities and choke the terrorists’ intellectual and financial resources. The Arab Interior Ministers stressed the importance of a unified stand to face security challenges and extremism.