Bahrain's King stresses significance of National Action Charter

MANAMA, Dec 14 (KUNA) -- Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa underlined here on Sunday the importance of the National Action Charter (NAC) as a "historical document consented by Bahrain's people" and its role democratic process.
In his keynote speech in the opening of the first session of the fourth legislative term of the National Assembly, King Hamad said the NAC which started in 2001 involved numerous reforms, in all domains across the country and reinforced Bahrain's high global reputation.
He pointed out that the landmark reforms that resulted from the NAC have consolidated the feelings of citizenship and belonging through the citizens' exercise of their political rights, affirming the significance of the principle of separation of powers, with cooperation among them.
King Hamad referred to achievements made through the National Dialogue, which he described as "a significant addition on the path of democracy, calling for achieving qualitative development of health and education.
On the other hand, King Hamad reiterated the Kingdom's constant keenness on pushing forward the Gulf Cooperation Council march in order to achieve further integration and heading seriously towards union.
He hailed the approval of the GCC leaders to set up the Military Command, as well as the establishment of a Gulf Police body, with its headquarters in Abu Dhabi, which is considered an advanced phase of the joint security work, and which will reinforce the capabilities of the police agencies in the GCC States.
Hs said such moves are considered an advanced period of common security action which strengthen capabilities of police apparatuses in the GCC.
Concerning the Palestinian issue, King Hamad said the Palestinian issue will remain "our main cause and we affirm the importance of finding a just, lasting and comprehensive solution to ensure the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people for the establishment of an independent Palestinian State with East Jerusalem as its capital." (end) mgh.hm