Bahraini interior minister calls upon neighbouring countries to step up efforts to prevent trafficking of weapons

 Interior Minister Lieutenant-General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa received here today Undersecretaries of the GCC Interior Ministries and security directors at the end of an extraordinary session that was held on Sunday in Bahrain at the invitation of the Bahraini Ministry of Interior.The Minister welcomed the attendees and stressed that Bahrain was proud to host the meeting, noting that that there is great value in cooperating and exchanging information to ensure the protection of security and stability within the Gulf region.Shaikh Rashid stated that the meeting was an opportunity to discuss the developing security threats in the area as well as the needed anti-terrorism programmes.He said the high-level of cooperation that has taken place within the GCC has paved the way for the swift handling of the risks that have emerged, emphasising the importance of joint training in various security scenarios.The Interior Minister called upon neighbouring countries to monitor their territories to prevent trafficking of weapons.At the extraordinary session, the Chief of Public Security Major-General Tareq Al-Hassan provided a briefing on the security situation in Bahrain, especially the discovery of recent terror plots.The Director-General of Crime Detection and Forensic Science and the Coast Guard Commander gave a presentation on the foiling of four linked terror operations on December 28 and 29, including defusing of a car bomb, arrest of 13 wanted persons from escaping Bahrain, seizing a shipment of explosives, weapons and ammunition and the raid of a weapons warehouse in Al Quraya in Sitra.The Chief and officials toured an exhibition that was organised on the sidelines that showcased confiscated weapons, ammunition and explosives that terrorists use in their attacks against policemen.Molotov cocktails and iron rods that rioters shoot from fire extinguisher guns were also on display. The officials expressed their appreciation to Interior Minister for hosting the meeting and commended the fast response of Bahrain police in the recent anti-terrorism operations.They strongly condemned terror acts that target the stability and security of Bahrain and reiterated the GCC countries' commitment to assisting Bahrain tomaintain a peaceful and secure environment.