From Israel, Bahrain’s Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Criticizes Iran Nuclear Deal

Sheikh Abdulla meets with the president of Israel. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Sheikh Abdulla meets with the president of Israel. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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From Israel, Bahrain’s Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Criticizes Iran Nuclear Deal

Sheikh Abdulla meets with the president of Israel. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Sheikh Abdulla meets with the president of Israel. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Bahrain’s Undersecretary for International Relations at the Foreign Ministry, Sheikh Abdulla bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, criticized on Monday the West and United States’ efforts to return to the nuclear deal with Iran.

Speaking from Israel, he said: “What did we achieve from the deal?”

The official is on a four-day visit to Israel.

Speaking to reporters, Khalifa said the 2015 pact between the world powers and Tehran has not yielded any positive results.

He revealed that Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa had sent a message of congratulations to then Iranian president Rouhani the day the nuclear accord was signed.

“However, two days later, we foiled a Iranian attempt to smuggle arms and explosives to Bahrain,” said Sheikh Abdulla.

He stressed that Bahrain wants to see a stable, secure, prosperous and responsible Iran that acts as a responsible member of the international community.

“But we haven’t,” he said, “What we see is continuous interference in domestic affairs in my country.”

The Bahraini official had arrived in Tel Aviv on Sunday.

He met with Israeli President Isaac Herzog, Foreign Minister Yair Lapid, and he attended a meeting of the Joint Coordination Committee between Bahrain and Israel.

He revealed that preparations are underway to commemorate the signing of the Abraham Accords, with the participation of all signatory countries, Bahrain, the UAE, the US and Israel.

“The event will be held on September 15,” he added.

Official diplomatic relations between Israel and Bahrain were announced on September 11, 2020.

The Bahraini official also revealed that Lapid is expected to visit Manama in the near future and that direct flights between Manama and Tel Aviv should begin soon.



France to Host Lebanon Aid Conference, Macron Says

France's President Emmanuel Macron delivers a speech during the closing session of the 19th Summit of the Francophonie at the Grand Palais in Paris, on October 5, 2024. (AFP)
France's President Emmanuel Macron delivers a speech during the closing session of the 19th Summit of the Francophonie at the Grand Palais in Paris, on October 5, 2024. (AFP)
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France to Host Lebanon Aid Conference, Macron Says

France's President Emmanuel Macron delivers a speech during the closing session of the 19th Summit of the Francophonie at the Grand Palais in Paris, on October 5, 2024. (AFP)
France's President Emmanuel Macron delivers a speech during the closing session of the 19th Summit of the Francophonie at the Grand Palais in Paris, on October 5, 2024. (AFP)

France will host an international conference this month to help drum up humanitarian aid for Lebanon and strengthen security in the southern part of the country, French President Emmanuel Macron said on Saturday.

"We will hold in the next few weeks a conference to provide humanitarian aid, support the international community and support the Lebanese armed forces boost security, especially in southern Lebanon," Macron said after a meeting of French speaking countries in Paris.

Israel has begun an intense bombing campaign in Lebanon and sent troops across the border in recent weeks after nearly a year of exchanging fire with Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah.

Fighting had previously been mostly limited to the Israel-Lebanon border area, taking place in parallel to Israel's year-old war in Gaza against Palestinian group Hamas.  

Earlier, Macron said shipments of arms used in the conflict in Gaza should be stopped as part of a broader effort to find a political solution.  

France is not a major weapons provider for Israel, shipping military equipment worth 30 million euros ($33 million) last year, according to the defense ministry's annual arms exports report.  

"I think the priority today is to get back to a political solution (and) that arms used to fight in Gaza are halted. France doesn't ship any," Macron told France Inter radio.  

"Our priority now is to avoid escalation. The Lebanese people must not in turn be sacrificed, Lebanon cannot become another Gaza," he added.  

Macron's comments come as his Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot is on a four-day trip to the Middle East, wrapping up on Monday in Israel as Paris looks to play a role in reviving diplomatic efforts.