Bahrain stepped into the frontline of the global war against terrorism, with the signing of a new Nato treaty on Thursday.

It will join forces with the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nato) to combat terrorism in Europe, the Middle East and elsewhere.

Bahrain signed a security of information agreement with Nato at a meeting which brought together officials from 26 countries.

Nato Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer and Foreign Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa signed the deal at the one-day Nato-Bahrain Relations and Istanbul Co-operation Initiative conference, at the Ritz-Carlton Bahrain Hotel and Spa.

Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander Shaikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa attended the event, along with a 110-member Nato delegation, including ambassadors from all of its member countries.

Scheffer said the agreement would play a crucial role in fighting terrorism.

"Terrorism is everywhere, unfortunately, and we should join hands as much as we can to fight it," he said.

"This agreement will definitely make it easier to exchange information and intelligence."

"I am absolutely certain that Bahrain and Nato will be very open in exchanging information (about terrorist suspects planning attacks in Europe), as we would do in Nato when we have information about an individual that may target Bahrain," Scheffer added.