Interior minister Shaikh Rashid addresses GCC meeting

Interior Minister Lieutenant-General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa participated Tuesday in the thirty-first meeting of the GCC Interior Ministers in Riyadh. The meeting was chaired by His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Naif bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Saudi Interior Minister. During the meeting, Lieutenant-General Shaikh Rashid delivered the following speech: His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Naif bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Minister of Interior, Their Excellencies GCC Interior Ministers Brother Attendees Peace be upon you and God's mercy and blessings. I would like to welcome you all to our thirty-first meeting of the GCC Interior Ministers that is being held in Riyadh and I thank you for your sincere efforts to support GCC security cooperation. I would like also to express thanks and appreciation to His Royal Highness Prince Ahmed bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, former Saudi Interior Minister, for his brotherly efforts in the regional security process. I also congratulate HRH Prince Mohammed bin Naif bin Abdulaziz Al Saud for his appointment as Interior Minister. Prince Mohammed's security experience was gained during difficult circumstances and his achievements and contributions have been made during trying times with wisdom and firmness. We wish him success in his formidable duties and thank him for the great hospitality and organization of this meeting. Your Highness and Excellencies The General Secretary Brother Attendees We thank God for the brotherly and mutual respect surrounding our relations and pray for the protection of our GCC leaders. They have a great role in reinforcing coordination and cooperation and establishing a vision that will benefit all of our nations. Their dedication has been shown through their provision of the human and financial resources necessary for success. Your Highness and Excellencies The General Secretary In the last few days, Bahrain has witnessed violent incidents that were not limited to attacking policemen. These incidents were similar in nature to the placement of the bombs in Manama on Monday 5 November, in which two Asian workers died and a third sustained serious injuries. Incidents of this sort indicate the level of determination of some people in our community to disrupt security and stability and effect civil peace. This violence has occurred on the heels of the reforms the Kingdom of Bahrain has engaged in including calls for a national dialogue, a royal order for the formation of the Bahrain Independent Commission for Inquiries (BICI) and the establishment of panels to follow reform progress. Regardless of these governmental actions, these misled souls have chosen to engage in violent acts aimed at spreading fear throughout the community. On this occasion, I would like to express sincere thanks and appreciation to the GCC countries for condemning this violence in Bahrain and for the countries’ stances against all forms of terrorism and those behind it. Brothers I take this opportunity to congratulate Their Majesties and Highness GCC leaders for the GCC Security Agreement. Security coordination and cooperation within the GCC community is crucial in today’s changing world. Presently, our countries are exposed to a colonial onslaught that uses the names of human rights, freedom or democracy and imposes the concepts of civilizations and cultures that are different from what we believe and want to protect. We expect those who deal with us to respect our civilized values and Islamic concepts that are based on the protection of freedom, justice, equality between people and respect for human rights. Today, Brothers, all borders and barriers fade away as a result of the security coordination needed to face the dangers that target our identity and stability. We can no longer afford to overlook or doubt the existence of these threats. Isn't it enough to observe what has recently happened to the identity and stability of the Arab world? We should also mention the need for a GCC National Security List that includes individuals, organizations and countries that outline a clear and definitive security strategy to deal with all threats. If not, what then is the meaning of our countries being together and unified? How do we translate into action that a threat to one Gulf country is a threat to all GCC states? How do we go about the work of achieving the goals of the security agreement? I believe the protection of security and stability of all GCC countries is a joint responsibility shared by us all. Finally, I wish all who are present success in your meeting. The General Secretary of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Dr. Abdullateef Al Zayani praised the signing of their Highness and Excellencies GCC Interior Ministers of the GCC Security Agreement. This is considered an important step in reinforcing security cooperation among all GCC countries. The General Secretary said the the GCC Interior Ministers condemned the recent bombings in Bahrain that resulted in severe injuries and death to both civilians and police. The Ministers offered their condolences to Bahrain and renewed their solidarity with the Kingdom. They vowed to work in conjunction with the Bahrain government to assist in the protection of the country's security and stability. The General Secretary said that the Ministers discussed the establishment of a GCC Police Force and are continuing their study of the project including all of the legal and technical aspects of such an undertaking. HE the Minister was received at the meeting by his Saudi counterpart and was accompanied by Interior Ministry officials. AHN