GCC Secretary General hails royal speech

GCC Secretary General Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani hailed today His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa's keynote speech to the Bahraini people and his directives to refer a demand for constitutional amendments, included in the National Consensus Dialogue visions, to the parliament and Shura Council to take the necessary procedures for their approval. "The historic step mirrors HM the King's wisdom, farsightedness and persistent keenness to push ahead with the development and reform process in Bahrain so as to meet the aspirations of the Bahraini people," he said in a press statement to Bahrain News Agency. "HM King Hamad promised and has kept his promise. With this step, he proved to be the protector of democracy, human rights and the sovereignty of the law," he added stressing that the constitutional amendments, which were announced by HM the King, to regulate the relationship between the executive and legislative powers as well as boost the prerogatives and supervisory role of the parliament aim to carry out the National Consensus Dialogue visions and fulfill the will of the Bahraini people. "The proposed constitutional amendments will promote the democratic march in the kingdom as they are a wise path which is in harmony with the contemporary spirit and the international human rights principles," Dr. Al Zayani emphasized. "HM the King's call on citizens to respect the law emanates from his continuous keenness to ensure democracy is practised in Bahrain according to set up rules stipulated by the constitution and the National Action Charter in order to protect the supreme interests of the nation and promote hard-won achievements."