The Gulf Cooperation Council condemns Hezbollah's interference in Bahrain
The Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Jassem Mohammed Al-Budaiwi, expressed his strong condemnation and denunciation of the irresponsible statements made by the Secretary-General of Hezbollah, Naim Qassem. This condemnation comes in light of the categorical rejection of any attempts to undermine the sovereignty of states, as Hezbollah's interference in Bahrain constitutes a blatant violation of international norms and conventions that stipulate respect for the internal affairs of states and good neighborliness.
Dimensions and history of Hezbollah's intervention in Bahrain
Hezbollah's involvement in Bahrain was not a spur-of-the-moment decision, but rather part of a long history of attempts to destabilize the security and stability of the Arabian Gulf region. Historically, militias backed by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) have sought to export chaos by recruiting and training cells. In his recent statements, Naim Qassem addressed Bahrain's internal affairs, criticizing the legal and sovereign measures taken by the Manama government against individuals proven beyond a reasonable doubt to be involved in criminal activities. These individuals were convicted of espionage for foreign entities, specifically the IRGC, with the aim of planning terrorist and hostile acts that harm the interests of the Kingdom of Bahrain and threaten civil peace.
A firm Gulf stance against terrorist militias
In this context, Al-Badawi reiterated the unified and unwavering Gulf position, clearly articulated in the 2016 resolution. Under this resolution, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) designated Hezbollah, with all its leaders, factions, and affiliated or splinter groups, as a terrorist organization. This designation is a direct consequence of the continued hostile activities perpetrated by members of this militia, including attempts to recruit young people from GCC countries to carry out terrorist operations, as well as its direct involvement in smuggling weapons and explosives. These practices not only incite sedition but also constitute a direct instigation of chaos and violence, posing an existential threat to Gulf national security.
Regional repercussions of Hezbollah's intervention in Bahrain
Hezbollah’s intervention in Bahrain carries serious repercussions that extend beyond local borders, impacting the regional and international landscape. Regionally, these statements exacerbate tensions and hinder diplomatic efforts aimed at establishing stability in the Middle East. The Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council affirmed the Council’s complete rejection of any practices that threaten the security and stability of Lebanon and its brotherly people, warning that attempts to keep Lebanon mired in chaos and successive crises, and to use its territory as a platform to target Arab states, are unacceptable regionally and internationally. Exploiting or marginalizing Lebanese institutions to serve foreign agendas primarily harms the interests of the Lebanese people.
Continued Gulf support for legitimate Lebanese institutions
Despite Gulf displeasure with the militias' actions, the Secretary-General reiterated the GCC's support for the constructive and reformist steps taken by legitimate institutions in Lebanon. He emphasized the importance of all Lebanese factions and parties rallying around the concept of the state and its official institutions, and supporting the reformist approach to extricate Lebanon from its crippling political and economic crises. Achieving security, stability, and prosperity for Lebanon and its people requires abandoning dependence on foreign agendas and working together to strengthen Lebanese sovereignty and its independent decision-making, free from any interference that harms Lebanon's relations with its Arab and Gulf neighbors.
