Minister: No bias in nationalisation of Bahraini force

Bahrain's security force is to be gradually nationalised without any discrimination, the newly-appointed Minister of Interior said.

Hundreds of Bahrainis were employed by the ministry last year and this year in various administrative and security jobs, Sheikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa told the press.

"Up to June this year, 392 Bahraini Interior servicemen have graduated, compared with 449 servicemen last year," he said.

Sheikh Rashid stressed there was "no discrimination of any type" in employing nationals. "The responsibility of security in the kingdom is shared by all," he noted.

The gradual nationalisation of the security force was announced last year by the ministry which also announced the establishment of a police academy.

"The new academy will train Bahrainis to gradually assume security positions. It will impart the necessary knowledge to develop the required professional skills and to inculcate the proper attitude for rendering service to the people," said Undersecretary, Sheikh Duaij bin Khalifa Al Khalifa last September.

The "Bahrainisation" of the security establishment has been long demanded by the opposition which says giving Bahrainis more jobs in the interior ministry would ease up unemployment among nationals, estimated by government officials at 15 per cent.

The minister, who was appointed on May 21, said yesterday protecting the freedom of expression and human rights and promoting transparency were essential elements in the training of the security personnel. "We are focusing on such elements by conducting intensive training sessions while, at the same time, we are working to formulate new laws," he explained.

Commenting on the recent attacks in Saudi Arabia, Sheikh Rashid said: "Bahrain is secure and stable, but we have to be vigilant to ensure that we can competently address any danger." Regional security should be a collective responsibility shared by all the countries in the region, he added.