Manama: Ahmed bin Salman Al Musallam, Speaker of the Council of Representatives, said that the speech delivered by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, during the Bahrain Shield joint military exercise reflected a wise approach to addressing current challenges and reaffirmed Bahrain's steadfast national and Gulf principles.
According to Bahrain News Agency, Speaker Al Musallam emphasized that His Majesty's participation in the joint exercise, which included the King Hamad Brigade of the United Arab Emirates, the Mohammed bin Zayed Squadron, armed forces of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states, and units from the Unified Military Command, sent a definitive message of the indivisibility of Gulf security and the region's shared destiny. He noted that the speech arrived at a crucial moment, underscoring that joint deterrence and collective Gulf action are essential for maintaining security and stability, reassuring Bahrain's citizens of the protection offered by a robust Gulf security framework.
Speaker Al Musallam highlighted that His Majesty's speech reaffirmed the GCC's role as a leading example of joint action and defence integration, with the Bahrain Shield exercise serving as a practical extension of the framework established by the GCC's founding leaders. The high level of performance and professionalism exhibited by the participating forces demonstrated the advanced state of Gulf security and defence coordination, empowering GCC states to protect their development and achievements.
The speech also addressed the Gulf's stance on Iran's hostile actions, citing the unjustified escalation and regional conflict, which disregard international and regional calls for peace. Speaker Al Musallam stressed that such conduct violates good neighbourliness and Islamic fraternity principles, which should guide regional relations. His Majesty's hope for the prevalence of Islamic fraternity and adherence to Islamic Sharia values underscores Bahrain and the GCC's commitment to peace, while highlighting their readiness to defend their security and sovereignty.
Speaker Al Musallam affirmed the Council of Representatives' support for His Majesty's directives and unwavering backing for Bahrain's leadership, Defence Force, and security agencies. He acknowledged the GCC member states' support and expressed appreciation to the United Arab Emirates for deploying the King Hamad Brigade, reflecting the deep-rooted ties between the nations.