Wide-scale Arab, Islamic, int'l condemnation of Iranian statements on Bahrain's sovereignty

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques receives phone call from King of Bahrain on regional, int'l issues

GCC warns Iran against making hostile remarks

Russia, Turkey back Bahrain in face of Iranian territorial claims

Iran says respects Bahrain's sovereignty

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud received a telephone call from King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain.

During the phone call, they discussed wide-range international, regional and Arab issues and reviewed bilateral relations between the two countries.

The six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) called on Iran to refrain from hostile remarks against its Arab neighbors, while also proposing a joint fund for the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip.

The recent provocative statement from a prominent Iranian conservative and high-level adviser, Ali Akbar Nateq Nouri, who called Bahrain Iran's 14th province, and the situation in war-ravaged Gaza Strip, especially in the light of the election victory of right-wing Benjamin Netanyahu, were the focus of discussions among GCC foreign and finance ministers.

"Statements made from time to time by Iranian officials infringe on the sovereignty and independence of the Gulf states, especially Bahrain, and represent a flagrant aggression on the Arab identity of Bahrain," said the GCC statement.

"The GCC is looking forward to the Iranian government to condemn and prevent the repetition of such odd voices, which increase tension and do not help to restore security and stability in the region," the statement added.

Iran moved late last week to defuse the row, saying it respects the sovereignty of Bahrain. Bahrain has halted negotiations with Iran over a major gas import deal following Nateq Nouri's comments. The deal, however, has not officially been canceled.

The GCC ministers also discussed the efforts required to rebuild the war-torn Gaza Strip and also ways to promote the Middle East peace process after Netanyahu forms Israel's next government.

The ministers called on all Arab states to come together to help the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip - a densely populated urban area of 1.5 million people - rebuild after the recent Israeli offensive. Officials said $1.25 billion has been pledged by Saudi Arabia and Qatar. "The membership of this common program for the reconstruction of Gaza shall be open to all Arab countries and operated by a panel of the member nations," it said.

The program, which seeks to mobilize efforts and generate funds for the reconstruction of Palestine, will be operated in cooperation with the Jeddah-based Islamic Development Bank.

"The goal is for the program to be implemented fast and minutely planned and also for it to respond to the needs of our Palestinian brethren in Gaza as soon as possible," Oman's minister in charge of foreign affairs, Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah, told reporters.

Meanwhile, the extraordinary meeting of the Ministerial Council of the GCC issued in Riyadh a statement on the Iranian claims infringing on the sovereignty and independence of the Kingdom of Bahrain.

Following is the text of the statement:

The Ministerial Council discussed the hostile statements made from time to time by a number of Iranian officials infringing on the sovereignty and independence of the Kingdom of Bahrain and representing a flagrant aggression on the Arab identity of Bahrain. The council expressed its displeasure over and strong condemnation of such statements regardless of their sources.

The Ministerial Council stressed that such statements are not consistent with the principles of good neighborliness, mutual respect and non-interference in internal affairs as the Council's member states are seeking to boost relations between them and the Islamic Republic of Iran and work to build confidence between the two sides.

The Council is looking forward to the Iranian government to condemn and prevent the repetition of such odd voices which increase tension and do not serve the security and stability in the region.

The foreign and finance ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries decided to establish a program for the reconstruction of Gaza.

The decision came at the conclusion of the 13th meeting between the ministerial council of the foreign ministers and the committee of financial and economic cooperation.

The membership of the program for the reconstruction of Gaza shall be open for the Arab countries and operated by a committee of the Arab countries who are members of the program in cooperation with the Islamic Development Bank.

The GCC foreign and finance ministers also decided to study the establishment of a field office to supervise the implementation of the program's projects and called for holding a meeting to set out the mechanisms of the implementation of the program.

Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh made a phone call with the King of Bahrain Hamad Bin Isa al- Khalifa, confirming position of Yemen which supports independence and sovereignty of Kingdom of Bahrain.

The president voiced condemnation for any attempt targeting independence and sovereignty of kingdom of Bahrain and its stability and security.

They two leaders also discussed means of developing mutual cooperation between the two countries to serve common interests of both nations.

The king of Bahrain appreciated position of president Saleh, wishing further progress for the relationship between the two countries.

In Tunisia, In response to a question on the recent Iranian declarations concerning Bahrain, an authorized source at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has made the following statement:

"Based on its attachment to the principles of respect of the sovereignty of States and non-interference in their affairs, while reaffirming the brotherly relations which link it to the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Islamic Republic of Iran, Tunisia regrets declarations prejudicial to the sovereignty and independence of Bahrain, or putting in question its Arabness; these declarations are against the principles of good neighborliness and fraternity which should characterize relations between Islamic States.

Tunisia also calls for concord to prevail in the relations between all the States of the region, so as to reinforce cooperation and constructive brotherly rapprochement, as well a climate of trust between these countries, in the service of the security and stability of the region."

Yemeni official source has expressed great astonishment at statements of head of Public Inspection at the office of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution in Iran that Bahrain is an Iranian city.

The source said Iran's statements were not in favor of the Arab-Iranian ties and could harm the neighborhood relations and Bahrain's sovereignty.

The source affirmed the Yemeni government and people's stand by Bahrain to protect its sovereignty and stability, denying external meddling in its own affairs.

However, the source welcomed a recent statement by the Iranian Foreign ministry saying that the country respects the independence and sovereignty of Bahrain and affirming Iranians will not make anymore hostility statements that could undermine stability in region.

Meanwhile, A Yemeni official source has expressed great astonishment at statements of head of Public Inspection at the office of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution in Iran that Bahrain is an Iranian city.

The source said Iran's statements were not in favor of the Arab-Iranian ties and could harm the neighborhood relations and Bahrain's sovereignty.

The source affirmed the Yemeni government and people's stand by Bahrain to protect its sovereignty and stability, denying external meddling in its own affairs.

However, the source welcomed a recent statement by the Iranian Foreign ministry saying that the country respects the independence and sovereignty of Bahrain and affirming Iranians will not make anymore hostility statements that could undermine stability in region.

Bahraini foreign minister sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammed al Khalifa and Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov held a talks session as part of the official visit of minister Lavrov to Bahrain.

Sheikh Khalid welcomed Lavrov and commended the strength of ties between Bahrain and Russia.

The minister hoped that the visit of Lavrov would result in more cooperation and coordination in various areas, especially after the visit of his majesty king Hamad bin Isa al Khalifa to Russia and his meeting with President Dmitry Medvedev.

The two sides discussed efforts to achieve Palestinian reconciliation and resolving problems facing national dialogue, in order to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinians in the Gaza strip, lifting the siege and reopening the crossings.

They expressed the mutual desire to resume the Middle East process in order to achieve comprehensive, fair and permanent peace in the region.

In this regard, the minister praised the constructive role of Russia and its efforts to host the Middle East peace conference in Moscow to push the peace process forward and end the Arab Israeli dispute to bring about security and stability in the area.

The ministers also exchanged views on current regional developments and the importance of creating an atmosphere of confidence among its countries; avert attempts to violate their security and independence, especially in the gulf considering them as vital areas for global security and peace.

In Oman, Sultan Qaboos bin Said has received a written message from Dmitry Medvedev, president of the Russian Federation, dealing with the relations between the two friendly countries and aspects of cooperation between them in various spheres.

The message was handed over by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov when he was given an audience by His Majesty at Bait Al Barakah.

The audience was attended by Yousuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah, minister responsible for foreign affairs, and Sergey Ivanov, Russian ambassador to the Sultanate.

Bahrain bans Iranian ships from entering its territorial waters, as comments on Iran's past sovereignty over the island have upset Manama.

An unnamed Bahraini official told the dpa that, "Iranian shipping vessels had been asked to avoid Bahraini territorial waters and no Iranian vessel will be allowed in until further notice," adding that the Civil Aviation Affairs (CAA) were not affected by the decision.

The ban was announced a few days after the kingdom halted talks to reach a gas deal with Iran. Bahrain's National Oil Gas Affairs minister and chairman of NOGA, Abdul Hossein Ali Mirza, also confirmed that talks over the gas deal with Tehran had been frozen.

However, commander of the Coast Guard at the Ministry of Interior Brigadier Alaa Siyadi said in a statement that maritime traffic between Bahrain and Iran was going normal, though there were some security restrictions put in place on dhows to combat human trafficking and smuggling of goods.

The restrictions were not Iran specific but came as part of a wide ban on boats entering the northern waters of Bahrain and would remain in force from sunset to sunrise, sources said and pointed out that same restrictions were also imposed last summer.

The ban is applied only to small fishing vessels and aimed to combat trafficking along the northern coast of Bahrain. During the past five years coastguards seized 2,234kg of drugs, unearthed 14 human trafficking and five piracy cases as well as thwarting several attempts to smuggle alcohol and weapons into Bahrain.

Those caught violating the ban would have to spend one month in prison or pay a fine of over BD100. The ban does not apply to large boats carrying merchandise as they follow the international trade treaties.

Iran's foreign minister said his country respects Bahrain's independence and countering anger in the tiny island state about alleged remarks by an Iranian official.

Bahrain's cabinet branded as "irresponsible" comments by Ali Akber Nateq Nouri, a prominent conservative member of Iran's powerful expediency council, after he allegedly said the Gulf kingdom used to be Iran's 14th governorate and had a representative in its parliament.

"That was a speech which caused misunderstanding and there were some misinterpretations," Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Hassan Qashqavi told a news conference, without elaborating.

Iran's Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki sent a message to his Bahraini counterpart that "asserted his country's commitment to Bahrain's sovereignty and independence," a statement on Bahrain's official news agency BNA said.

"Reopening files of the past does not serve the interests of ... the region," said Mottaki's message, which Iran's ambassador in Bahrain delivered to Foreign Minister Sheikh Khaled bin Ahmad al-Khalifa, the statement said.

While Iran's semi-official Fars news agency said Mottaki "reiterated that Iran's relations with Bahrain and other countries of the region are based on mutual interests, good neighborliness and securing common interests of the region and Muslim nation."

Bahrain's foreign minister also summoned the Iranian ambassador to protest the remarks earlier in February.

Qashqavi said the gas contract would be valuable for both Iran and Bahrain and both sides wanted to see it implemented.

Gulf foreign and finance ministers meeting in the Saudi capital criticized the "irresponsible" comments.

The Bahraini cabinet had described the recent Iranian claims that encroached on the sovereignty and independence of Bahrain as irresponsible.

Releasing such claims while the world and the region are busy strengthening cooperation ties to curb the repercussions of the global economic crisis creates sedition, disturbs the region and shakes its stability, the cabinet, chaired by prime minister at Gudaibiya palace this morning said.

It also stressed the sovereignty and independence of the kingdom as well as its Arab identity and called on Tehran not to issue similar statements in the future as they impair the aspired Arab- Iranian cooperation ties.

Bahrain, relying on the cohesion of its loyal citizens and own potential, is capable of defending itself and its citizens who fought invaders and colonial powers in the past are ready to defend at any time while their resolution and allegiance cannot be shaken by similar claims, the minister noted.

In this context, the cabinet thanked the gulf, Arab and friendly states for their honorable stand and solidarity with Bahrain, a country that takes pride in its Arab belonging, non interference in other states' affairs and keenness on cooperation with neighbors including Iran and other brotherly and friendly countries.

on his part, foreign minister sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammed al Khalifa briefed the cabinet on his meeting with the Iranian ambassador and the message he received from foreign minister Manouchehr Mottaki who stressed the independence of Bahrain and promised not to allow similar statements in the future.

The cabinet also discussed government plans, including the establishment of a fund for fishermen to look after the vital sector and support its bread winners.

The cabinet also listened to a report on the matter presented by the ministry of municipalities and agriculture in cooperation with the general commission for the protection of marine resources, environment and wildlife.

The cabinet also directed the labor fund to support fishermen through financial assistance, fishing equipment and training sessions.

A government committee, headed by the municipalities and agricultural affairs and comprising representatives from labor, finance, industry and commerce ministries in addition to the general commission was formed to suggest ways of protecting fish resources and supporting fishermen.

the cabinet was briefed on the prime minister's visit to Muharraq club and his orders to the general organization for youth and sports to develop it in order to boost the overall sport standard in the kingdom.

Commenting on the 40th education day, recently patronized by the premier, the ministers took pride in the occasion and the large number of the honorees including outstanding students, graduates and long serving employees.

Discussing the agenda issues, the cabinet approved the new organization criteria that classify housing areas according to the nature of the projects and tasked concerned bodies to take the legal to commence working on the legal procedures to implement them.

The cabinet also passed a draft law on computer crimes and got informed on parliament approval of an agreement between the kingdom and MENA financial work group regarding the headquarters in preparation for its ratification by HM King Hamad bin Isa AL Khalifa.

Supreme council for Islamic affairs expressed utter sorrow over the Iranian claims which encroached on Bahrain's sovereignty and included some facts distortion.

Irresponsible allegations could hamper bilateral relations and Islamic unity that respected the entity of all Islamic countries, the council asserted. We should be committed to the principle of good-neighborliness and Islamic values in order to achieve security and stability in the region, the council indicated.

French Defense Minister Herve Morin urged Iran to come clean about its controversial nuclear drive which he which he described as serious threat to world security.

"France insists that Iran be transparent, that it halt its sensitive activities, and that Iran opens up to the International Atomic Energy Agency," Morin told reporters on the sidelines of the IDEX 2009 defense exhibition in the United Arab Emirates.

"France considers Iran's nuclear program is a serious threat to security, not just in the region but also to the world," he added.

Morin called on Iran to enter a "constructive dialogue" with the international community to "bring major source of concern to an end."

The West believes that Tehran is trying to acquire atomic weapons but Iran insists its nuclear program is for peaceful civilian purposes and has refused UN Security Council calls for it to halt uranium enrichment.

Iran, OPEC's number two exporter, is expected to sign a deal within a month with French oil company Total to develop a major offshore gas field in Iran.

Iran moved to defuse a row with Bahrain, saying it respects the sovereignty of the tiny neighboring Gulf kingdom which has threatened to stop a gas deal with the Islamic republic.

Bahrain said it has halted negotiations with Iran over a major gas import deal following comments allegedly made by a senior Iranian official that touched on the sovereignty of the kingdom.

"Our position on Bahrain is clear. We have repeatedly said that we respect the sovereignty and independence of all neighboring countries and the region, especially Bahrain," Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Hassan Ghashghavi told Arabic language state television Al-Alam.

Bahrain has strongly protested against recent comments of Ali Akber Nateq Nouri, a prominent conservative leader and member of Iran's expediency council, the top arbitration body, after he allegedly said the Gulf kingdom used to be Iran's 14th governorate and had a representative in its parliament.

"We do not have eyes on any country. This is a storm created by the media. Nateq Nouri did not refer to Bahrain," Ghashghavi said in his statement to Al-Alam.

"In his speech in Mashad he talked about the achievement of the Islamic revolution and compared them to the era of the hated monarchy. He did not talk at all of current global, regional and political issues."

On February 11, a day after Nateq Nouri's speech, Iran's Khorasan newspaper quoted him as saying in his address that "under Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, this useless king, one of our provinces which has now become a country named Bahrain was taken away from us.

"At that time Bahrain was our 14th province and had a representative at the parliament."

Bahrain's parliament condemned the remarks as "irresponsible" and urged Iran to "put an end to... all false statements that do not serve to boost relations between the countries, nor the interests of their people or regional stability and security."

Ghasghavi warned the media from "reopening old border disputes as they do not benefit nations in the region or brotherhood and friendship."

Bahrain's Al-Ayam newspaper said the kingdom had recalled from Iran its team overseeing an October deal which would have provided Bahrain with one billion cubic feet (about 28 million cubic meters) of natural gas each year.

Ties between Iran and Bahrain have been strained in the past, most notably in July 2007 when an Iranian newspaper article claimed Bahrain belonged to Iran. Iran's foreign minister then flew to Manama to defuse the crisis.

Russia and Turkey came out in support of Bahrain, in face of renewed Iranian claims that the Gulf island was an historical province of Iran.

Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and his Turkish counterpart Ali Babacan both expressed their countries' support for Manama in separate press conferences with Bahrain's Foreign Minister Sheikh Khaled bin Ahmad al Khalifa at the Bahraini foreign ministry.

"It's important to accept the international legitimacy and sovereignty of all countries and refrain from questioning and harming them," Lavrov said when asked about his country's stance on Iran's recent claims.

An hour earlier, Babacan said Turkey fully supports Bahrain and would not accept any questioning of its sovereignty. "The sovereignty of Bahrain and its safety is not something to be questioned. its sovereignty must be respected," he said.

Sheikh Khaled, who confirmed that negotiations over reaching an agreement to supply the Gulf kingdom with Iranian gas had been halted, for his part pointed out that it was no longer acceptable for Iranian officials to continue to make statements questioning Bahrain's sovereignty.

"We do not want to confront Iran or cause it any harm, we want good relations with them," he said.

Jordan's King Abdullah II and Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak have expressed support for Bahrain.

United Arab Emirates, one of five other Gulf states alongside Bahrain in the Gulf Cooperation Council, meanwhile strongly condemned Iran's 'hostile statements' against Bahrain.

Last week, Ali Akbar Nateq Noori, an adviser to Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, reportedly claimed that Bahrain was Iran's 14th province.

Iran says it respects Bahrain's territorial integrity and has no intention of challenging the country's sovereignty or independence.

Iranian Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani made the remarks in a phone conversation with Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa told Aljazeera, according to Fars news agency.

"The published report on Bahrain is not Iran's policy toward its friend and neighboring country," Larijani said.

"Bahrain enjoys an independent sovereignty and is respected as a brother nation," he added.

Iran and Bahrain signed a security agreement in December 2008 in an effort to increase cooperation in combating organized terrorism and drug trafficking.

Six Israeli shells hit south Lebanon areas early Saturday morning, following Katyuosha rockets launched from south Lebanon into northern Israel, National News Agency (NNA) reported.

The agency said that six rockets landed between al-Huniyeh and al-Mansouri close to Naqoura in south Lebanon, where the headquarters of the UN Interim Forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL) are located.

According to al-Jazeera TV channel, Israel army confirmed that one rocket hit the western part of Galilee in northern Israel.

Israel fired flare shells off the town of Naqoura, amid information that an Israeli soldiers disappeared while doing physical exercise near the borders with Lebanon.

Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Seniora contacted UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, and informed him about his the government's efforts to prevent any violation of UN resolution 1701, Elnashra website reported.

"The Lebanese government, in cooperating with UN Interim Forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL) is working to prevent any repeated of violations," through launching rockets from south Lebanon, and is committed to ensure the implementation of UN resolution 1701, Seniora was quoted as saying.

A rocket slammed into northern Israel early Saturday morning from South Lebanon, prompting an Israeli responds of shelling back into the Lebanese areas.

He expressed to Ban his rejection and denouncement to the Israeli violation of UN resolution 1701, by shelling back Lebanese territories without checking out with UNIFIL forces which are in charge.

UN resolution 1701 ended a 34-day devastating war in 2006 between Israel and Hezbollah in south Lebanon, and assigned UNIFIL troops to prevent any aggression from both sides.

Seniora, however, thanked Ban for his efforts to establish the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) to try suspects in the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri which will start functioning on March 1 in Hague.