GCC ministers want to see terror suspects deported

Manama: Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) ambassadors will convey a formal request to the British foreign secretary to deport terror-supporting individuals and not to grant them political asylum, Bahrain's foreign minister has said.

"We agreed that the GCC ambassadors will, as a group, meet the British foreign secretary," Shaikh Khalid Bin Ahmad Al Khalifa told Bahrain TV on Tuesday. "We appreciate the GCC stance and we are deeply grateful," he said, referring to the support expressed by the GCC foreign ministers to Bahrain at their meeting in Jeddah.

The GCC urged the international community, particularly Britain, to take action against groups and people who support terrorism.

All countries should deny terror-supporting groups and individuals political asylum and not allow them to abuse freedoms to undermine the security and stability of the GCC states, the ministers said.

Two of the 23 suspects named by Bahrain in a "terror network plotting to overthrow the regime and destabilise the country" are based in London.

Saeed Al Shihabi, from the Bahrain Freedom Movement, and Hassan Mshaima, from Haq Movement, were on Saturday named among the 10 leaders of the network.

The UK does not have a formal extradition agreement with Bahrain. Al Shihabi and Mshaima are currently being tried in absentia as they both reside in London. A spokesperson for the Home Office in London told Gulf News yesterday that it "does not confirm or deny whether an extradition request has been received" from Bahrain.

On Tuesday, the public prosecutor in Bahrain said that 12 charges had been pressed against the suspects.

— With inputs from Alice Johnson, Staff Reporter

Editorial: Say No to violence

Bahrain's security and social peace is being challenged yet again in the run-up to the October 23 elections, the third general elections since King Hamad Bin Eisa Al Khalifa introduced sweeping reforms in 2002.

The challenge is posed by a few opponents who chose to oppose the system by unacceptable means. Some of them may have legitimate demands. The government never denied that. But burning tyres, blocking vital roads and instigating violence are not the way to voice an opinion.

The king's reform project has provided Bahrainis with legitimate and civilised channels to challenge the government and oppose decisions they don't agree with. Violence is not an option.

All political factions, including the opposition, are welcome to run in the upcoming elections.