The GCC interior ministers signed a key joint security agreement, as they backed Bahrain's efforts to combat terrorism and vowed to work in co-ordination with Manama towards protecting the kingdom's stability.

GCC Secretary-General Dr Abdullatif Al Zayani praised the signing of the security agreement and said the ministers also discussed a GCC Police Force.

Bahrain's Interior Minister Lieutenant General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, addressed the 31st meeting of the ministers, highlighting the recent terrorist incidents in Bahrain, said a report in our sister publication, the Gulf Daily News.

"These violent incidents were not limited to attacking policemen. They developed into placing bombs in Manama on November 5, in which two Asian workers died and a third sustained serious injuries," he said.

"These incidents indicate the level of determination of some people in our community to disrupt security and stability and disturb civil peace.

"This violence has occurred on the heels of the reforms Bahrain has introduced, including calls for a national dialogue, a royal order for the formation of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry and the establishment of panels to follow up on reform progress.

"Regardless of these government initiatives, these misled souls have chosen to engage in violent acts aimed at spreading fear throughout the community," said the minister.

He thanked the GCC nations for condemning the violence in Bahrain and for their stances against all forms of terrorism and those behind it.

He said security co-ordination and co-operation within the GCC community is crucial in today's changing world.

"Presently, our countries are exposed to a colonial onslaught that uses the pretext of human rights, freedom or democracy to impose concepts of civilisations and cultures that are different from what we believe and want to protect," he said.

"Today, we can no longer afford to overlook or doubt the existence of threats to security and stability. Isn't it enough to observe what has recently happened to the identity and stability of the Arab world?"

Shaikh Rashid underlined the need for a GCC National Security List that includes individuals, organisations and countries that outline a clear and definitive security strategy to deal with all threats.

"If not, what then is the meaning of our countries being together and unified? How do we translate into action that a threat to one Gulf country is a threat to all GCC states? How do we go about the work of achieving the goals of the security agreement? I believe the protection of security and stability of all GCC countries is a joint responsibility shared by us all."

The meeting was chaired by Saudi Interior Minister Prince Mohammed bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. – TradeArabia News Service