Bahrain’s King Lauds Saudi, UAE, Kuwaiti Support

King of Bahrain Sheikh Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa attends Arab summit in Riyadh in this file photo taken on January 21, 2013. REUTERS/Fahad Shadeed
King of Bahrain Sheikh Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa attends Arab summit in Riyadh in this file photo taken on January 21, 2013. REUTERS/Fahad Shadeed
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Bahrain’s King Lauds Saudi, UAE, Kuwaiti Support

King of Bahrain Sheikh Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa attends Arab summit in Riyadh in this file photo taken on January 21, 2013. REUTERS/Fahad Shadeed
King of Bahrain Sheikh Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa attends Arab summit in Riyadh in this file photo taken on January 21, 2013. REUTERS/Fahad Shadeed

Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa stressed the vitality of achieving fiscal balance, economic diversification and developing the oil energy sector in Bahrain. His remarks were made on Wednesday at the Kingdom’s fifth legislative parliamentary session.

King Hamad praised Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Kuwait for supporting Bahrain in achieving financial stability, stressing that Manama seeks economic integration with fellow Gulf Cooperation Council member states.

"We convey our sincere thanks to our brothers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the UAE and the State of Kuwait, for their noble stances, which we highly appreciate, in supporting our national efforts to achieve the sought after financial balance and economic growth, through which we will work to strengthen facets of our integration and economic cooperation with our brothers, within the context of our common policies that aim to maintain the security and stability of the region and safeguard its gains,” he said in his address.

King Hamad also reiterated enduring commitment towards the Palestinian cause, saying his Kingdom will continue to support the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.

“As part of our commitment to our Arab and Islamic surroundings, we will continue to defend our Arab and Islamic causes in international forums, and the Palestinian issue is at the forefront of our interests. We will seek that the Palestinian people obtain their legitimate rights, including the establishment of an independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital,” King Hamad said.

“We thank all the relevant State institutions for their outstanding performance in ensuring the success of the electoral process with its impressive outcomes, and which witnessed the participation of individuals that greatly pleased us… and we thank them for their keenness which demonstrates their solid will,” he said.

“Their participation is a great example of the commitment of Bahraini citizens to managing the affairs of their country,” King Hamad added.



Saudi Arabia Condemns Knesset Resolution Rejecting the Establishment of Palestinian State

The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat
The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat
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Saudi Arabia Condemns Knesset Resolution Rejecting the Establishment of Palestinian State

The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat
The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed the Kingdom's “rejection and condemnation in the strongest terms” an Israeli official’s storming of Al-Aqsa Holy Mosque and the Knesset's adoption of a resolution rejecting the establishment of a Palestinian State.

“The Kingdom affirmed that these continued hostile practices towards Islamic sanctities and international resolutions and laws reflect the aggressive approach of the Israeli occupation authorities,” the Ministry said in a statement.

It stressed that “these practices hinder any progress aimed at sparing the blood of innocent people and achieving a just and comprehensive peace.”