Interior Minister Attends Arab Meeting

Interior Minister Lieutenant-General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdulla Al-Khalifa today attended the 29th session of the Arab Interior Ministers' Council in Tunisia. Tunisian President Mohammed Moncef Al-Marzouki addressed the session, welcoming the Arab interior ministers. Lt. General Shaikh Rashid attended, along with other ministers and heads of participating delegations, a meeting held by President Al-Marzouki. Addressing the session, Shaikh Rashid pointed out Bahrain's civilized and reform-minded approach in dealing with the events that disrupted public security. He cited the Royal Order issued by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa, establishing the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI), with a full mandate to conduct its investigation. He pointed out HM the King's endorsement of the (BICI) recommendations, charging the Government to ensure their implementation. He also mentioned HM the King's royal order establishing the National Commission to follow-up the implementation of the recommendations, announcing that the panel would submit its final report within the coming few days. Shaikh Rashid updated the pan-Arab session on HM the King's Royal Order on constitutional amendments, as per the recommendations of the National Dialogue, in addition to the establishment of a compensation fund befitting people affected by the unrest. "These reform steps have won the backing and recognition of the Arab countries and the international community, being a democratic practice and a model to emulate for transparency and accountability", Shaikh Rashid said. The Arab ministers discussed the issues featuring on the agenda of the session, describing the meeting as a constructive step forward to bolster pan-Arab security action. They stressed the necessity for successive generations to protect the Arab identity and holy sites, being a trust and responsibility as well as a cornerstone of all Arabs' sovereignty and entity. They also underscored the need to review the threats confronting the Arab nation, stressing the need to promote pan-Arab security to stave off any foreign infiltrations and unify stances regarding core Arab causes.