Manama: Bahrain has summoned the Iraqi ambassador in Manama to protest statements made by Iraqi figures deemed as blatant interference in the kingdom’s domestic affairs.
Foreign Ministry Undersecretary for Regional and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Affairs Waheed Mubarak Sayyar conveyed to Ambassador Ahmad Nayef Rasheed Al Dulaimi Bahrain’s “strong dissatisfaction and utter rejection of the instigative statements issued by certain Iraqi individuals and sides,” the ministry said.
The statements are believed to have been made by Iraqis reacting to news that Bahrain’s government had revoked the citizenship of Eisa Qasim, a Shiite religious leader, after it charged him with “playing a major role in creating an extremist sectarian atmosphere and working to divide Bahraini society”.
Sayyar said the statements were loaded with negative intentions and were an unacceptable interference in Bahrain’s internal affairs, which clashes with the nature of the relations between the two countries and Bahrain’s unflinching policy to support Iraq’s security and stability and blatantly violates the Arab League’s charter.
The Bahraini official highlighted that every country had the right to take whatever measures it deems fit to ensure the security and safety of its citizens and residents and to stave off any blatant interference in its internal affairs, the ministry said on Wednesday.
Sayyar said the Iraqi government should assume its role and to take the necessary measures to preserve the fraternal relations between the two countries, halt whatever may damage them and put an end to issuing such irresponsible statements that are unaware of the sizeable dangers and challenges facing the Arab states that necessitate solidarity.
