Terrorism remains major threat to regional security: Bahraini FM

MANAMA, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- Terrorism sponsored by states or non-governmental organizations continues to significantly threaten regional security and stability, said Bahrain's foreign minister on Saturday.

"Hezbollah's terrorist activities in Lebanon provides a model for what might happen if a terrorist organization takes control of the political decision," said Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa at the Manama Dialogue 2017 conference.

"This is in addition to the smuggling of weapons and explosives and training of terrorists to carry out terrorist operations in Bahrain, Kuwait and other countries," he added.

The situation is further worsened by Iran's interference, said the foreign minister.

"Iran undermines regional security and destabilize governments of other countries, as well as supports terrorist militias to implement its own agenda," he said.

He also stressed that the decision taken by the four Arab countries including Bahrain to boycott Qatar is a result of the decades-long attempts of some countries to destroy the security and stability of other countries.

"The decision came after decades of attempts to undermine national security of Bahrain and to overthrow its government," he said.

He stressed that the Arab quartet is ready to re-establish relations with Qatar if it agrees to the set of demands proposed by the Arab alliance and stop its support for terrorism.

The minister also said that the U.S. decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel would threaten the peace process in the Middle East and disrupt all initiatives and negotiations to reach the final solution.

"It is a clear violation of the international resolutions that affirm the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people," he added. Enditem