Cabinet condemns Iranian interference

The Cabinet has strongly condemned the attacks on the Saudi Embassy in Tehran and consulate in Mashhad, and stressed that the attacks represent an unacceptable violation of diplomatic conventions.

The Cabinet reiterated Bahrain's support to Saudi Arabia’s continued efforts to combat terrorism and extremism and maintain regional security and stability. The Cabinet stated that in accordance with the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, Iranian authorities are fully responsible for the protection of diplomatic missions and their staff.

The Cabinet meeting, chaired by His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa at Gudaibiya Palace, also included condemnation of Iran's interference in the sovereign affairs of Saudi Arabia and the serious threat it poses to Arab and regional stability.

In a statement following today's meeting, Cabinet Secretary-General Dr Yasser bin Isa Al Nasser said that the Kingdom had decided to sever its diplomatic ties with the Islamic Republic of Iran as a result of Iran's persistent incitement and provocative policies, its interference in the domestic affairs of countries without any respect for sovereignty, and its continued protection of those involved in terrorist acts in Bahrain.

The Cabinet then offered sincere condolences to the families of the Bahrain Defence Force servicemen who died last Tuesday while performing national duties within the Saudi-led Arab Coalition.

During Cabinet discussions about the Kingdom’s health services, the Prime Minister issued directives to increase investment as part of Bahrain's plans to develop strategic industries that serve citizens’ needs.

The Prime Minister also gave instructions to continue programmes aimed at improving food security within the Kingdom.

The Prime Minister went on to issue directives to appoint licensed tourist guides at heritage and archeological sites in order to provide the necessary audio-visual materials at sites such as the House of Shaikh Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the House of Shaikh Isa bin Ali Al Khalifa in Muharraq, Beit Al-Jasra (Al Jasra House), and Bahrain’s forts. The Prime Minister tasked the Bahrain Authority for Tourism and Exhibitions to provide tourist guides in collaboration with the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities.

In this regard, the Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism briefed Cabinet on the Bahrain Authority for Tourism and Exhibitions’ current efforts to prepare and train citizens, and noted that the first batch of tourist guides graduated recently.

In regards to the Kingdom’s comprehensive economic and fiscal reform programme, the Cabinet endorsed a plan to gradually adjust the prices of electricity and water consumption for non-domestic use, non-Bahraini subscribers, and Bahraini subscribers with more than one account, starting from March 2016. The domestic consumption prices for Bahrainis who have one account will remain unchanged.

On the Kingdom’s education services, the Prime Minister issued directives to ensure Bahrain’s university system maintains a consistent high level of performance in light of the steady rise of private universities in Bahrain over recent years. The Prime Minister was commenting following a report presented by the Minister of Education on the status of public and private universities in Bahrain, the challenges administrators are facing and ways to further improve them.

The report also highlighted the key role played by the Higher Education Council in overseeing all higher education institutions and was referred to the Supreme Council for the Development of Education and Training to follow up.

The Cabinet then reviewed a report on the labour market indicators for Q3 of 2015, as presented by the Minister of Labour and Social Development. The report highlighted the Bahraini labour market's stability, with the national economy steadily generating new employment opportunities for Bahrainis. The report summarised that the annual increase of the national workforce was marked at 2%, with the overall workforce at 6%, following reports that 7,000 Bahrainis joined the private sector.

The Cabinet also discussed a draft resolution on the issuance of the financial bill of the National Health Regulatory Authority (NHRA). The memorandum, presented by the Health Minister, was referred to the Ministerial Committee for Legal Affairs and the Ministerial Committee for Financial Affairs and Rationalising Expenditure.