Washington Times Hails Bahrain
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VOL XXXIX No. 268 (GGDN 024) TUESDAY, 13th DECEMBER 2016 200 Fils/2 Riyals VOL XXXVIII No. 119 (GGDN 024) XXXDAY, XXth XXXX 2015 200 Fils/2 Riyals www.gdnonline.com https://www.facebook.com/GulfDailyNews/ gdnonline @GDNonline 66710017 India cyclone Washington havoc worry get the new HUAWEI Mate 9 with VIVA Device Add-ons Times hails starting from BD 10/month Bahrain WASHINGTON: US President-elect Donald Trump has been urged to make His Majesty King Hamad a key ally as a top priority. An editorial in the Washington Times advises Trump that when he looks to the broader Middle East for 4 allies “he will find no leader more reliable and trustworthy than King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. This re- form-minded leader of Bahrain, an enormously important country to the United States situated in the en- ergy-rich Gulf”. The editorial continues: “This island nation of one million has cer- tain unique cultural, economic and geopolitical features that deserve the next administration’s immediate attention. “Mr Trump and his foreign pol- icy team should unequivocally and wholeheartedly embrace Bahrain and its monarch. “The first point to keep in mind when thinking of US-Bahrain rela- DEFINING tions is our shared value of religious freedom. Indeed, a major feature of Bahrain’s national culture is reli- gious tolerance,” it says. “Unlike most other Muslim countries, Christians, Jews, Baha- is and Hindus live side by side in peace and harmony in Bahrain. “Even when the Iranian regime tries to undermine Bahrain’s stabil- n ity by highlighting the Sunni-Shi’ite The Premier ... National Day pride divide, King Hamad has risen above this sectarianism by emphasising MANAMA: This year’s Na- Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa legislative and judicial authorities in the Prime Minister said. the oneness of all faiths. MOMENTtional Day celebrations rep- extended congratulations to His Majes- strengthening political and civil rights. A heartfelt tribute was paid to citizens “The second point that makes ty. “Bahrain in His Majesty’s era is wit- who sacrificed their lives in the line of Bahrain unique is that it shares resent a defining moment in “This national occasion represents a nessing landmark development which duty, defending the national and legiti- Washington’s goal of uninterrupted defining moment for a country whose will consolidate the pillars of the mod- mate rule as Bahrain gears up for Mar- flow of oil and gas from the region Bahrain’s history, the Cabi- to international markets. glorious history is laden with honour- ern state,” he said. tyrs’ Day on Saturday. “Today, the free net heard yesterday. able achievements and landmark gains,” The Premier also paid tribute to Bah- “Bahrain’s King, government and Bahrain will celebrate its 45th Na- flow of oil and gas he said. rainis for their role in building the na- people will never forget those who sac- across Bahrain’s tional Day and the 17th anniversary The Premier hailed Bahrain’s polit- tion. rificed their lives for the nation to thrive waterway plays of His Majesty King Hamad’s ac- ical, economic and social progress that He urged them to stand united to pro- and enjoy security and stability.” a critical role in cession to the throne on Friday and has enhanced its standing among na- tect gains and pursue development. The Cabinet then saluted Bahraini po- Western energy Saturday. tions. The King’s accession will always be licemen, marking Bahrain Police Day. security. Unlike He hailed the King’s vision and a defining moment in Bahrain’s history It praised their key role in maintaining Iran’s Supreme Chairing the weekly Cabinet meet- Leader Ayatollah ing, His Royal Highness Prime Minister stressed the pivotal role of the executive, and a turning point for the whole nation, security and protecting lives and prop- Khamenei, who n erty. has threatened to Trump The session also highlighted close down the Gulf on numerous efforts of policemen in preserv- occasions, Bahrain’s responsible Sentence of nine ing the kingdom as an oasis of and reliable king has been a con- stability. sistent champion of keeping these It congratulated the Interior strategic waterways open. “The immediate steps that Mr years is upheld Ministry and its personnel on Trump’s foreign policy team must the occasion. make as it concerns Bahrain are MANAMA: Opposition leader Shaikh Ministers condemned dead- the following. First, invite King Ali Salman has lost an appeal against a ly bombings which targeted a Hamad to the White House for nine-year jail sentence for his involve- Coptic church in Cairo, and a a working visit with President ment in a coup attempt. terrorist act that hit a check- Trump. Beyond getting a sense of point in Giza. the geopolitical challenges facing The Al Wefaq National Islamic the broader Middle East and a bet- Society secretary general was previous- The Cabinet reiterated Bah- ter understanding of what ails the ly convicted by the Supreme Criminal rain’s support to Egypt and Middle East from King Hamad, Appeals Court of seeking to forcibly measures it deems necessary to this meeting would send a strong overthrow the government, inciting oth- safeguard its security. signal to the regime in Tehran that ers to break the law, spreading sectarian The session also condemned a ‘new sheriff is in town’ and that hate and insulting a government body. terror blasts in Istanbul, reiter- Washington will from this day for- In October he challenged the verdict ating solidarity with Turkey. ward embrace those countries like n Summit hailed – 2 Bahrain who share our values and at the Cassation Court, which referred geopolitical goals.” the case back to the Supreme Criminal n Celebrations – 2, 5 and 11 Appeals Court for review. However, the court yesterday upheld its original ruling. “The court reached the verdict unan- imously and jailed the defendant for seven years in connection with three of the charges, which were combined, and upheld his sentence in connection with the other charge (insulting a gov- ernment body, which carried a two-year sentence),” said leading judge Ebrahim n A young Bahraini man died after his motorcycle collided with a car on Al Quds Avenue Al Zayed. in Isa Town last night. The accident happened at about 7pm. The car was being driven by Full report – Page 3 a Bahraini girl. An investigation has been launched. NEW CAUSEWAY PROJECT ‘ON TRACK’ – PAGE 5 l LETTERS – PAGE 6 2 Gulf Daily News Tuesday, 13th December 2016 King Salman hails historic Summit ‘big success’ GCC talks MANAMA: The Prime condemned terror bombings in MANAMA: Custodian of the Minister yesterday welcomed Cairo, Giza and Istanbul, reit- Two Holy Mosques King the positive outcomes of the erating Bahrain’s fully-fledged Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud 37th GCC Summit held in support to the war on terror. expressed great appreciation The Cabinet requested all min- Manama. to His Majesty King Hamad, He described talks as construc- istries and government depart- ments to notify the Foreign the government and people of tive and fruitful in its economic Bahrain for the warm reception results, as well as firm and deci- Ministry before preparing any agreements, conventions and and hospitality accorded to him sive in its security and military memoranda of understanding and other GCC leaders, and stances. with any foreign country or His Royal Highness Prime efforts made during the 37th regional or international organ- GCC Summit in Manama. Minister Prince Khalifa bin isations. Salman Al Khalifa was speaking It had a great impact on its n The Prime Minister chairs the Cabinet meeting The ministry was also request- as he chaired the weekly Cabinet ed to activate an electronic sys- success, he said as he chaired session. reject foreign interference in the Minister said the visit embodies contribute to reaching common tem linking it to all government the Saudi cabinet session. He said His Majesty King member states’ domestic affairs the strength of solid relations grounds on regional security and departments, including updated Minister of Culture and Hamad’s sound chairmanship of and consolidate joint action will between the countries. stability issues. information on the progress of Information Dr Adel bin the summit was a major success lay a solid foundation for keeping The session also welcomed the Referring to Martyrs’ Day, the implementation of agree- factor, and entitled it to be among Zaid Altoraifi said the cabi- the region away from conflicts results of the GCC-UK Summit, which is observed on December ments and memoranda of under- net commended the “Sakhir the most successful GCC sum- and strengthening its security and valuing highly Britain’s “positive 17 every year, the session paid standing. mits in history. stability. strategic vision” to enhance its tribute to citizens who sacrificed The session also approved Declaration” and its confir- He said resolutions will con- The Cabinet lauded the fruit- relations and co-operation with their lives while defending the three draft laws. They includ- mation of the importance of tribute to enhancing and consol- ful outcomes of the King’s talks the GCC. nation. ed bills on Bahrain’s ratification continuing to work on imple- idating joint GCC action. with Custodian of the Two The Cabinet then highlighted The Cabinet then saluted of the Protocol Supplementary menting King Salman’s vision The session highlighted the Holy Mosques King Salman bin the importance of the topics dis- Bahraini policemen marking for the Convention for the adopted at Riyadh Summit summit’s call to combat terror- Abdulaziz Al Saud during his cussed during the 12th Manama Bahrain Police Day. Suppression of Unlawful Seizure 2015 to achieve the goal of ism, resolve regional problems, state visit to Bahrain.