Bahrain threatens to boycott GCC Summit

Manama : Bahrain will not attend the upcoming GCC summit in Kuwait if Qatar is attending with a hostile attitude towards its neighbours, His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa affirmed here yesterday.

HM’s words reflected the Kingdom’s rejection of the hostile policies of Qatar.

Speaking while chairing the weekly Cabinet meeting, HM the King said, “Qatar has proved that it does not respect the charters, treaties and bonds on which the GCC was founded, and implemented policies that targeted the security of GCC member states.” 

“As long as Qatar continues this approach, the Kingdom of Bahrain will not participate in any GCC Summit attended by Qatar unless it rectifies its approach, comes to its senses and responds to the demands of the countries that suffered so much from its polices,” HM the King said.

HM the King asserted that “meetings and summits cannot be held in the presence of those seeking no good for the alliance and trying to impede its blessed progress”. 

HM the King stressed keenness to ensure that “the progress of the GCC remains strong and cohesive, noting that time has come to take firmer actions against those who approach foreigners to threaten brotherly countries and put their safety at risk”.

The summit is scheduled to take place in Kuwait in December, amidst predictions that it will be postponed until next year due to the ongoing crisis between three GCC states that are members of the Anti-terror Quartet, including  Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and the UAE on one side, and Qatar on the other.

The three states had taken the decision of boycotting Qatar on all levels last June, as the latter was proven to violate the GCC treaties and agreements.

They offered to resume diplomatic relations with Qatar under the condition that it fulfills a list of demands that included seizing its support to terrorism and meddling in regional countries affairs.