Manama: King Hamad Bin Eisa Al Khalifa on Tuesday reiterated Bahrain's full commitment to the Gulf Cooperation Council as a guarantor of the stability of its members.

"Bahrain will not spare any effort in its support of the Gulf Cooperation Council," King Hamad said as he opened the new parliament. "The Council is the political, economic, security and social framework that preserves the security, power and economy of the member countries," he told the members of the lower and upper chambers in their first meeting since the elections on October 23 and 30.

King Hamad delivered the annual opening ceremony address since the first elections were held in 2002 after almost three decades of constitutional hiatus.

The governments, senior officials, diplomats and the heads of civil societies were present at the ceremony held at the Eisa Cultural Hall, metres away from the parliament premises, after the strong winds that have lashed at Bahrain since Monday forced organisers to move the gathering from the open air venue.

"Within the Arab world, Bahrain supports all good and positive initiatives that help promote common Arab efforts to re-empower and reinvigorate the Arab nation and serve security, peace and progress throughout the world," King Hamad said.

Bahrain will work on reinforcing its bilateral ties with all countries, the king said.
"We would like to stress the role of Bahrain in serving prosperity and peace in the world and in supporting Arab rights, particularly those of the Palestinians in establishing their independent state with Jerusalem for capital," King Hamad said.

Bahrain will also work with the international community to ensure a world free of conflicts and wars, he said. "We are an Arab and Muslim country that is open for co-existence between the various religions, cultures and civlisations," King Hamad said.
At the local level, improving education and training through several initiatives, boosting the national economy and reinforcing energy policies and strategies will be among the top tasks ahead for the country, King Hamad said.