Bahrain FM: Suspension of Qatar’s Membership is Correct Step to Preserve GCC

Bahraini Foreign Minister Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed al-Khalifa in Manama, on November 9, 2014. (photo credit: AP/Hasan Jamali)
Bahraini Foreign Minister Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed al-Khalifa in Manama, on November 9, 2014. (photo credit: AP/Hasan Jamali)
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Bahrain FM: Suspension of Qatar’s Membership is Correct Step to Preserve GCC

Bahraini Foreign Minister Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed al-Khalifa in Manama, on November 9, 2014. (photo credit: AP/Hasan Jamali)
Bahraini Foreign Minister Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed al-Khalifa in Manama, on November 9, 2014. (photo credit: AP/Hasan Jamali)

Bahrain's foreign minister on Monday suggested suspending Qatar's Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) membership until it accepts the demands of the Arab quartet.

"The correct step to preserve the GCC would be to freeze Qatar's membership until it sees reason and accepts the demands of our countries. If not, we will be fine with it leaving the GCC," Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed al-Khalifa said on his Twitter account.

The minister also said in another tweet that "if Qatar thinks that its current playing with time and evading will buy it time till the upcoming GCC summit, then it's mistaken. If the situation remained as it is we won't attend this summit."

Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt on June 5 severed ties with Qatar for supporting extremism and terrorist groups, and issued Doha with a list of demands.

"Bahrain will not attend a summit with Qatar, which becomes closer to Iran each day and brings foreign forces (to its soil), dangerous steps for the security of GCC countries," Sheikh Khalid said in another tweet.



Saudi Leadership Extends Condolences to Pakistani President over Flood Victims

Joint photo of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud - File Photo
Joint photo of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud - File Photo
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Saudi Leadership Extends Condolences to Pakistani President over Flood Victims

Joint photo of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud - File Photo
Joint photo of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud - File Photo

The Saudi leadership extended their condolences on Monday to President of Pakistan over the victims of the floods that struck the country leaving many fatalities and missing persons, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud sent a cable of condolences to President Asif Ali Zardari of Pakistan and extended his deepest condolences and sincere sympathy.

He prayed that Allah Almighty would bestow His mercy and forgiveness upon the deceased, grant patience and solace to their families, bless the injured with a swift recovery, ensure the safe return of the missing, and protect Pakistan and its people from all harm.

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, also sent a cable of condolences to Ali Zardari and expressed his deepest condolences and sincere sympathy to the President, the families of the deceased, and the people of Pakistan.

He prayed that Allah Almighty bestow his mercy on the deceased and grant the injured a speedy recovery.

Heavy rains and flooding in a northwestern district of Pakistan left at least 274 dead on Friday as many villagers remain missing.