Bahrain, Pakistan Sign MoUs on Education, Science

Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa and Prime Minister Imran Khan at Gudaibya Palace (BNA)
Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa and Prime Minister Imran Khan at Gudaibya Palace (BNA)
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Bahrain, Pakistan Sign MoUs on Education, Science

Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa and Prime Minister Imran Khan at Gudaibya Palace (BNA)
Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa and Prime Minister Imran Khan at Gudaibya Palace (BNA)

Bahrain and Pakistan signed on Monday three memoranda of understandings (MoUs) in the fields of education, higher education, and scientific research.

They also signed an MoU on cooperation in health and medical sciences, as well as an MoU on cooperation in youth and sports affairs.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan arrived in the Kingdom Bahrain on an official visit at the invitation of King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.

King Hamad received Khan at Sakhir Palace and conferred on him the Bahrain Order — First Class as a recognition of his remarkable leadership, outstanding achievements, and contribution to further bolstering bilateral relations.

The Premier also held talks with Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, deputy supreme commander and first deputy prime minister, at Gudaibya Palace.

Both sides highlighted the importance of continuing regular consultations through the existing institutional mechanisms and agreed to hold the Bahrain-Pakistan Joint Ministerial Commission ‘s second meeting in Manama in Q1 2020.

They welcomed the recent signing of an agreement on military cooperation and decided to further increase the exchange of information, intelligence, and assessments.

The communique on the Premier’s visit included condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.

Both sides denounced terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including state terrorism, and reaffirmed their desire to boost cooperation at both bilateral and multilateral levels in the fight against terrorism and its financing, combating transnational organized crimes and narcotics and enhancing cybersecurity cooperation.

In light of the significant role played by investors, they agreed to create an appropriate investment environment for investors from both countries by exchanging information on available investment opportunities in a regular and rapid manner, in recognition of the great opportunities for economic growth.

Both parties also exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual interest, including the security situation in West Asia and South Asia.

They reiterated the importance of striving towards peaceful resolutions to all disputes in light of international legitimacy and relevant UN Security Council resolutions.



French-Algerian Novelist Sansal Appeals Detention Decision

Renowned French Algerian novelist Boualem Sansal (AFP)
Renowned French Algerian novelist Boualem Sansal (AFP)
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French-Algerian Novelist Sansal Appeals Detention Decision

Renowned French Algerian novelist Boualem Sansal (AFP)
Renowned French Algerian novelist Boualem Sansal (AFP)

Renowned French-Algerian novelist Boualem Sansal has been placed in detention at a hospital unit in Algeria’s capital, as his defense team appealed the decision to detain him.

Sansal’s lawyers in Algeria on Wednesday met with their client in the prison unit of Mustapha Hospital in Algiers, his lawyer in France François Zimeray said. The writer appeared to be worried but otherwise in good spirits, and did not complain of mistreatment, he said. His lawyers plan to seek his release on bail.

Sansal, 75, who obtained French citizenship earlier this year, was arrested this month at Algiers airport upon returning from France.

The writer was indicted Tuesday under Algeria’s Article 87 bis on charges of “undermining the integrity of the national territory,” the lawyer added.
On Friday, Algeria’s state news agency APS finally acknowledged his arrest without clarifying the circumstances.
Sansal has repeatedly criticized Algerian officials.

His arrest comes as relations between France and Algeria face newfound strains. France in July backed Morocco's sovereignty over the Western Sahara, angering Algeria.