French journalist hails national assembly's recommendations

Veteran French journalist and political analyst, Christian Malar has affirmed the importance of implementing the recommendations of the extraordinary session of the National Assembly, held on Sunday, July 28, 2013, immediately in order to safeguard the kingdom’s stability, lauding the efforts exerted by His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa to serve the homeland and protect its security and stability. In a statement to the Bahrain News Agency (BNA), Mr. Malar said the recommendations covered a number of key issues which should be focused on especially after the successive terrorist incidents that have targeted Bahrain over the recent months. He stressed the importance of activating Article (38) of the Kingdom’s Constitution regarding the issuance of royal decrees during the summer recess of the National Assembly in order to toughen penalties stipulated in the anti-terror law so as to take the necessary measures in cases that brook no delay and leave no loopholes for more terrorist acts. He emphasized that sources of financing for terrorism must be controlled and dried up in order to ward off imminent threats, adding that procedures should be taken to prevent un-authorised sit-ins, rallies and gatherings in the capital, Manama. “I totally agree with these recommendations which should be interpreted and implemented as soon as possible, provided that basic liberties are not affected,” he said, noting that Bahrain has always been, and still is, keen to guarantee the rights of its citizens in a way that strikes a balance between law enforcement and human rights protection. He concluded his statement by praising the recommendations of the National Assembly which, he said, represents the balanced and moderate discourse aiming to preserve the deep-rooted social fabric of Bahrain.