No Gulf Union sans Oman, says Minister

Manama : A senior Bahraini official has denied the media reports about announcing a Gulf Union without Oman, adding that he was misquoted.

Shura Council and Representatives Council Affairs Minister Ghanim Al Buainain yesterday criticised a couple of regional newspapers for lacking accuracy in reporting his statement on the GCC union.

The Minister affirmed that he had never said the Gulf Union will be formed without Oman’s participation.

Al Buainain clarified that he just said the issue of the GCC Union will figure on the next summit’s agenda, adding that it does not mean in any way that Oman will be omitted from any potential regional union.

The Minister also commended Oman’s stances, emphasising Bahrain’s respect to it and stressing deep-rooted fraternal relations between both the countries.

He underlined Oman’s keenness on carrying out the decisions taken during the GCC summits, which reflects its interest in achieving maximum integration with the brotherly GCC countries.

The minister’s statements came a few days after several regional dailies, including an English local newspaper, misquoted him saying that the Gulf union will progress and will be discussed in the upcoming GCC summit in Bahrain without the participation of Oman. 

The reports had made an international impact as it indirectly states the exclusion of Oman from the GCC.