Arab FMs Mull Resolution Deploring Hizbullah 'Meddling' in Bahrain Affairs

Arab foreign ministers on Thursday discussed a draft resolution proposed by Manama to condemn perceived “interference” by Hizbullah in the domestic affairs of Bahrain.

An Arab diplomat told Egypt's MENA news agency that the closed-door talks followed the opening session of the Arab FMs' extraordinary meeting that got underway Thursday in Cairo.

“The draft resolution has received broad Arab support amid Lebanese and Iraqi reservations,” the diplomat added.

He noted that the draft includes a “clear condemnation” of Hizbullah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah's latest remarks, which were described as “an incitement to violence” by Manama.

On Friday, Nasrallah alleged the presence of a “Zionist-like naturalization scheme” in Bahrain.

He also noted that top Bahraini dissident Sheikh Ali Salman, who was recently jailed by authorities, “has never called for toppling the regime and he did not incite to violence.”

“The authorities in Bahrain will realize that they are acting in a foolish way. They can imprison most of the Bahraini people but that will only stop the protests on the streets and they will not be able to stop the protests in prisons,” said Nasrallah.

His statement was met by broad Arab dismay, with the Gulf Cooperation Council announcing that his remarks contained “an incitement to violence and discord.”

“He went beyond interfering in Bahrain's affairs in an attempt to destabilize the security and stability,” the GCC charged.

Bahrain for its part summoned Lebanon's charge d'affaires, urging a “clear condemnation” of Nasrallah's stances.

The UAE's foreign ministry also summoned the Lebanese ambassador on Monday, handing him a protest letter over what it described as “hostile statements.”

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil told an Arab delegation that visited Beirut on Monday that “Lebanon's role is to encourage dialogue and understanding among the Arab states, not to interfere in their affairs.”

Y.R.