Bahrain defends hosting Mideast conference
FM: Bahrain supports independent Palestinian statehood
Manama - Bahrain on Tuesday defended hosting a US-sponsored economic conference for the Middle East next month, saying that the event is part of the kingdom’s constant support for Palestinians.
The conference, dubbed “Peace to prosperity” is scheduled for June 25-26 in Manama.
“The official and popular position of the Kingdom of Bahrain was and is still supporting the brotherly Palestinian people in restoring their legitimate rights to their land and independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital, in addition to supporting the Palestinian economy at international and bilateral forums,” Bahraini Foreign Minister Khalid Bin Ahmad Al Khalifa tweeted.
He added the coming conference is part of Bahrain’s support for helping Palestinians to boost their resources in order to “fulfil their legitimate aspirations”.
Palestinian officials said they had not been consulted on the Bahrain forum, amid strains between them and the US administration that has recognised occupied Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, reversing Washington’s long-standing stance on the sensitive issue.