Saudi Gazette report

MANAMA — Bahrain has denounced the “hostile statements” of the Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar regarding the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain News Agency reported on Sunday.

In a statement, Bahrain’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs called the remarks an unacceptable provocation that contradicts diplomatic norms and a reprehensible threat to a brotherly Arab country that is known for its constructive role in the international community.

The ministry affirmed Bahrain’s solidarity with the UAE regarding the Turkish interventions in the internal affairs of Arab countries, which contradicts the principles of the United Nations Charter and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and represents a threat to Arab national security and regional peace.

Later in the day, Bahrain's Council of Representatives strongly condemned and denounced the hostile statements made by the Turkish minister.

A parliamentary committee said that Akar's provocative statements contravene diplomatic principles and norms, represent a direct threat to the security of an Arab state and violates the UN Charter and the principle of countries’ sovereignty.

The committee hailed the UAE unwavering stances in defending the pan-Arab security as well as its pivotal and constructive international role and efforts to promote humanitarian work and global peace.

“Any threat to the security of the UAE is a threat to Arab countries and regional peace”, it said, reiterating Bahrain’s solidarity and support to the UAE against the Turkish interference in the internal affairs of the Arab countries, in violation of the UN and OIC charters.

It called upon Arab parliaments to voice its support for the UAE and condemn the Turkish minister’s statements and the Turkish inference in the internal affairs of Arab countries.

The committee stressed the importance of building interstate relations through the language of sound diplomacy, rather than threats and blatant interference so as to maintain regional security and stability.

On Saturday, the UAE warned Turkey against interfering in matters of Arab counties.

Denouncing Akar's comment on UAE's foreign policy in an interview with a Qatari TV channel, Dr. Anwar Gargash, UAE’s minister of state for foreign affairs had called it a new low for Turkey's diplomacy.

“The provocative statement of the Turkish Minister of Defense is a new (failure for) his country’s diplomacy...Relations are not managed with threats and intrusions, and there is no place for colonial illusions at this time, and it is more appropriate for Turkey to stop interfering in Arab affairs,” Gargash had tweeted.

Gargash’s statement was in response to the Turkish defense minister’s accusation that the UAE was committing “malicious acts” in Libya and Syria.