Bahraini Foreign Minister: Saudi Security is an Integral Part of Gulf States' Security

Manama, October 18 (KUNA) -- Bahraini Foreign Minister Dr. Abdul Latif bin Rashid Al Zayani expressed on Sunday full solidarity with and unwavering support for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s legitimate measures to safeguard its sovereignty, security, and the safety of its citizens and residents, as well as its inherent right to self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter. He emphasized that the security of Saudi Arabia is an integral part of the security of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, and that an attack on any member state is considered an attack on all of them in accordance with the Joint Defense Agreement.

This statement was made during a speech by the Bahraini Foreign Minister, who also serves as the current chairman of the GCC Ministerial Council, while presiding over the 168th session of the council. The meeting was attended by the foreign ministers of the GCC states, including Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Jaraah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, and GCC Secretary-General Jassem Al-Bedaiwi.

At the outset of the meeting, Minister Al Zayani conveyed greetings and best wishes for the council’s success from Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and Crown Prince and Prime Minister Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa. He expressed their hope that the meeting would advance the GCC’s trajectory toward broader integration and cohesion, fulfilling the aspirations of citizens for security and prosperity.

He noted that the meeting builds upon a solid Gulf trajectory established by the founding leaders in 1981, creating a comprehensive framework to safeguard the security of our nations and secure the future of our generations, based on the conviction that the strength of our council lies in the cohesion of its member states and the unity of their positions.

He added that the recent period has seen practical steps to implement the high directives issued at the 19th Consultative Meeting of GCC Heads of State, held in Jeddah on April 28, 2026. These steps include accelerating the Gulf Railway project, enhancing electrical and water interconnections, studying oil and gas transportation and strategic reserve projects, and expanding cooperation in energy, food security, trade, industry, and health sectors. He expressed appreciation for the progress achieved and looked forward to accelerating implementation so that Gulf integration becomes a tangible reality for citizens in their daily lives and security, paving the way toward economic unity.

He stressed, echoing the King of Bahrain, that our security and prosperity constitute a single, indivisible goal. The interdependence among our states in energy, transport, food, and pharmaceuticals is not merely a developmental luxury but a security policy that makes our economies resilient to targeting and turns the principle that an attack on one of our states is an attack on all into a practical reality.

He further stated that this meeting takes place amid rapid developments revealing threats to our security and stability, notably the exploitation of chokepoints in our maritime routes and reliance on proxies and asymmetric weapons. He expressed the GCC states’ strong condemnation of the ongoing malicious attacks launched by the terrorist Houthi militia against civilian targets in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, including strikes on civilian airports and vital economic and strategic facilities. These attacks constitute a blatant violation of international humanitarian law, a serious threat to the safety of international civil aviation, and a clear breach of the Chicago Convention and resolutions of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). He offered condolences to the victims and prayed for the swift recovery of the injured.

He concluded by affirming support for the draft resolution submitted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the UN Security Council, and stated that the Kingdom of Bahrain, in its capacity as a council member, would work in coordination with brotherly nations to rally support for its adoption.

Minister Al-Zayani added that the Kingdom of Bahrain, through its non-permanent membership on the Security Council, has paid special attention to freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab al-Mandab since the adoption of Resolution 2817 (2026), which was submitted by the Kingdom on behalf of the Council countries and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, and received unprecedented international support. He emphasized that this freedom is a cornerstone for the stability of the global economy, energy security, supply chains, and international trade, and constitutes a responsibility not only for our region but for the entire international community.

The Minister reiterated his condemnation of attacks on commercial vessels and oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, the Red Sea, and the Bab al-Mandab, and rejected any attempt to subject the right of innocent passage to prior authorization or imposed restrictions, reaffirming the provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, Security Council Resolution 2817 (2026), and Human Rights Council Resolution 61/1 (2026). He called on the Security Council and the International Maritime Organization to fulfill their responsibilities in safeguarding the safety of navigation and protecting seafarers.

He also expressed appreciation for the good offices of the sisterly Sultanate of Oman and the sisterly State of Qatar in mediating between the United States and Iran, building on the successful efforts of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan that led to the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding and contributed to halting military operations between the two sides. He stressed that any future negotiations must address all outstanding issues, including the Iranian nuclear file, the Iranian ballistic missile program, and Iran’s support for proxies in the region, based on respect for sovereignty, good neighborliness, non-interference in internal affairs, and the involvement of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries in any negotiations or arrangements affecting their security and interests.

The Minister reaffirmed the GCC countries’ support for the Presidential Leadership Council and the legitimate government of the Republic of Yemen, as well as for a comprehensive political solution to the Yemeni crisis in accordance with the three reference points, and for the strict implementation of the arms embargo under Security Council Resolution 2216 (2015).

He commended the efforts of the GCC Secretary-General and the General Secretariat in preparing for this session, wishing the Council’s ministerial meetings success and prosperity, in line with the aspirations of our leaders and peoples, and to consolidate a strong Gulf system that speaks with one voice, makes decisions wisely guided by its leaders, and is united by the solidarity, unity of position, and cohesion of its peoples.

The ministerial council discussed items on its agenda, including the economic and developmental outcomes of the consultative meeting of the GCC Supreme Council, enhancing joint Gulf action to confront various challenges, recommendations from specialized ministerial committees on joint Gulf cooperation, and reports submitted by the General Secretariat on areas of joint Gulf cooperation and political affairs.

The council reviewed a report on the progress of negotiations on free trade agreements between the GCC and international countries and groups, noting tangible developments in the negotiation process, joint ministerial meetings between the GCC and sister and friendly countries, strategic partners, and international blocs, as well as upcoming ministerial meetings with countries and international blocs.

The ministerial council also discussed developments in the regional situation and regional and international efforts aimed at de-escalation and maintaining regional security and stability, as well as ongoing negotiations to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to maritime navigation and ensure the security and safety of commercial vessels in accordance with international law and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. (End) K.N.A. / H.S.S.