Iran Soon To Offer Solution To Bahrain Problem
Bernama -- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Tehran has "a plan" to solve the existing problems in Bahrain, but in the meantime mentioned that Iran would present its solution only when the situation is ripe, Iran's Fars News Agency (FNA) reported.
"I hope that in the near future conditions are prepared and we can present our proposal so they can resolve the issue," Ahmadinejad told a press conference here in Tehran on Tuesday, without elaborating on his plan.
Dismissing claims that Iran meddles in Bahrain's internal affairs, President Ahmadinejad said, "Had Iran wanted to interfere in regional affairs, the entire region would have been affected."
"The Islamic Republic of Iran has never had any problem with any country of the region," Ahmadinejad reiterated.
"The ruler of Bahrain should sit down and negotiate with his people. It is not acceptable for him to have unlimited responsibilities. This is not accepted anywhere...The people should have the right to vote, a vote that is both free and just," he added.
The president further condemned the arrest of Bahraini women and men, and cautioned that such a practice should be stopped and the Bahraini government and nation should live together peacefully.
He said enemies of regional nations try to attribute ongoing regional conditions to religious or Shiite-Sunni problem.
"Essential rights of nations, national sovereignty right, freedom, justice, respect and human dignity have been officially recognized in all religions; so, they can solve the issue inside Bahrain. This is something which benefits the Bahraini people and the whole region," the president added.
Ahmadinejad said the Bahraini regime is clamping down on its people for the sake of the United States' illegitimate interests.
"The problem is the United States military base in Bahrain. It is only for the United States' illegitimate interests that people in Bahrain are under pressure," he continued.
Ahmadinejad further stated that the Bahraini "government is obliged to stand against its own people in a bid to defend the US base".
"Americans introduce themselves as proponents of the people while we are informed that Americans have left the hands of the Bahraini rulers open to confront their people," he continued.
Anti-government protesters have been holding peaceful demonstrations across Bahrain since mid-February, calling for an end to the Al Khalifa dynasty's over-40-year rule.
Violence against the defenseless people escalated after a Saudi-led conglomerate of police, security and military forces from the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council (PGCC) member states - Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Oman and Qatar - were dispatched to the tiny Persian Gulf kingdom on March 13 to help Manama crack down on peaceful protestors.
So far, tens of people have been killed, hundreds have gone missing and about 1,000 others have been injured.
During the recent days, Bahrainis have repeatedly underlined that they will continue protests until the regime collapses and condemned Riyadh's involvement in the suppression of the revolution.
"I hope that in the near future conditions are prepared and we can present our proposal so they can resolve the issue," Ahmadinejad told a press conference here in Tehran on Tuesday, without elaborating on his plan.
Dismissing claims that Iran meddles in Bahrain's internal affairs, President Ahmadinejad said, "Had Iran wanted to interfere in regional affairs, the entire region would have been affected."
"The Islamic Republic of Iran has never had any problem with any country of the region," Ahmadinejad reiterated.
"The ruler of Bahrain should sit down and negotiate with his people. It is not acceptable for him to have unlimited responsibilities. This is not accepted anywhere...The people should have the right to vote, a vote that is both free and just," he added.
The president further condemned the arrest of Bahraini women and men, and cautioned that such a practice should be stopped and the Bahraini government and nation should live together peacefully.
He said enemies of regional nations try to attribute ongoing regional conditions to religious or Shiite-Sunni problem.
"Essential rights of nations, national sovereignty right, freedom, justice, respect and human dignity have been officially recognized in all religions; so, they can solve the issue inside Bahrain. This is something which benefits the Bahraini people and the whole region," the president added.
Ahmadinejad said the Bahraini regime is clamping down on its people for the sake of the United States' illegitimate interests.
"The problem is the United States military base in Bahrain. It is only for the United States' illegitimate interests that people in Bahrain are under pressure," he continued.
Ahmadinejad further stated that the Bahraini "government is obliged to stand against its own people in a bid to defend the US base".
"Americans introduce themselves as proponents of the people while we are informed that Americans have left the hands of the Bahraini rulers open to confront their people," he continued.
Anti-government protesters have been holding peaceful demonstrations across Bahrain since mid-February, calling for an end to the Al Khalifa dynasty's over-40-year rule.
Violence against the defenseless people escalated after a Saudi-led conglomerate of police, security and military forces from the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council (PGCC) member states - Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Oman and Qatar - were dispatched to the tiny Persian Gulf kingdom on March 13 to help Manama crack down on peaceful protestors.
So far, tens of people have been killed, hundreds have gone missing and about 1,000 others have been injured.
During the recent days, Bahrainis have repeatedly underlined that they will continue protests until the regime collapses and condemned Riyadh's involvement in the suppression of the revolution.