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Manama Regrets Beirut’s Hosting of Press Conference for Figures who Are Hostile to Bahrain

A view of Manama, Bahrain. (Getty Images)
A view of Manama, Bahrain. (Getty Images)
    Manama, Beirut - Asharq Al-Awsat
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Manama Regrets Beirut’s Hosting of Press Conference for Figures who Are Hostile to Bahrain

A view of Manama, Bahrain. (Getty Images)
A view of Manama, Bahrain. (Getty Images)

Bahrain's Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed on Sunday its "deep regret" over and denunciation of Beirut’s hosting of a press conference for "hostile persons designated as supporters and sponsors of terrorism, with the purpose of disseminating and promoting abusive and malicious allegations against the kingdom."

In a statement carried by the Bahrain news agency (BNA), the Ministry announced that a "strongly-worded formal protest note had been submitted to the Lebanese government regarding this unacceptable act, which is a flagrant violation of the principles of respect for the sovereignty of states and non-interference in their internal affairs, in contravention of international charters and the charter of the Arab League."

The Ministry added that an official note verbale of protest had been sent to the Secretariat General of the Arab League in this regard, expressing Bahrain's condemnation of this "unfriendly step" by Lebanese authorities.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs called on the Lebanese government "to prevent such reprehensible practices that aim to offend the Kingdom of Bahrain, and are inconsistent with the most basic diplomatic norms and the brotherly relations between the two peoples."

In Beirut, Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati said he was informed of Manama's formal complaint, saying he had urgently referred it to the concerned authorities and demanded that an immediate probe be launched in the incident so that it can be avoided in the future.

Mikati strongly condemned any offense against Bahrain, its leadership and people, rejecting any meddling in the kingdom's internal affairs.

He also refused to have Lebanon be used as a platform to launch abuse against Bahrain or any other Arab country, especially the members of the Gulf Cooperation Council.

He stressed that he is keen on the "historic and close ties" that bind Lebanon and Bahrain, adding that what they share "is deeper than any wrong behavior that does not reflect the position of the vast majority of the Lebanese people."

Bahrain had in October expelled the Lebanese ambassador over offensive comments made by a Lebanese minister against Saudi Arabia. The minister has since resigned.

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Planes from Jordan and UAE Airdrop Humanitarian Aid into Gaza

28 July 2025, Palestinian Territories, Deir al-Balah: Humanitarian aid supplies are airdropped by military cargo planes over the western part of Deir al-Balah. (dpa)
28 July 2025, Palestinian Territories, Deir al-Balah: Humanitarian aid supplies are airdropped by military cargo planes over the western part of Deir al-Balah. (dpa)
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Planes from Jordan and UAE Airdrop Humanitarian Aid into Gaza

28 July 2025, Palestinian Territories, Deir al-Balah: Humanitarian aid supplies are airdropped by military cargo planes over the western part of Deir al-Balah. (dpa)
28 July 2025, Palestinian Territories, Deir al-Balah: Humanitarian aid supplies are airdropped by military cargo planes over the western part of Deir al-Balah. (dpa)

Two planes from the Jordanian and UAE Air Force airdropped 17 tons of humanitarian aid in Gaza on Monday, Jordan's military said.

The aid packages come as hunger continues to soar across the enclave.

The airdrops took place for the second day as Israel faces increasing pressure over Gaza’s humanitarian crisis. However, Philippe Lazzarini, the head of the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees, warned that airdrops are “expensive, inefficient and can even kill starving civilians.”

The 17 tons of airdropped aid amounts to less than one aid truck carrying food, based on the World Food Program’s calculation of nearly 19 tons per truck.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Monday that Germany intends to conduct an airlift of humanitarian aid to Gaza along with Jordan. 

Merz didn’t provide details of the plan after a meeting of his security Cabinet, but said his defense minister will consult with France and Britain, “which are also prepared to make available such an airlift for food and medical goods.” Jordan’s King Abdullah II is due to meet Merz in Berlin on Tuesday. 

Merz said Israel’s move to lift some aid restrictions is “an important first step” but “further ones must follow quickly.” He also stressed the need for a comprehensive ceasefire. 

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said that Spain will airdrop 12 tons of food aid into Gaza from Jordan later this week, via Spanish air force planes. 

Sanchez acknowledged this isn’t a solution to hunger, but hopes it offers “minimal relief” alongside aid from other nations. 

Spain’s government has been a vocal critic of Israel’s war in Gaza and has repeatedly called for a ceasefire. 

On Sunday, 180 trucks carrying aid entered Gaza, according to the Israeli military body in charge of overseeing humanitarian aid.

As the death toll from two years of war in Gaza nears 60,000, a growing number of people are dying from starvation and malnutrition, Gaza health authorities say, with images of starving children shocking the world and fueling international criticism of Israel over sharply worsening conditions.

On Monday, the Gaza health ministry said at least 14 people had died in the past 24 hours of starvation and malnutrition, bringing the war's death toll from hunger to 147, including 88 children, most in just the last few weeks.