GCC states last night expressed their full solidarity with His Majesty King Hamad and the Bahraini people following a meeting between Foreign Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa and his GCC counterparts to discuss the events of the past few days.

The ministerial council discussed regional relations, collective support offered by each GCC state and reached a mutual conclusion regarding the recent events.

'We have the same destiny as our Arab brothers, which has been born out of deep relations and brotherly ties,' said Shaikh Khalid. 'The council hails His Majesty's speech and wise directives, which uphold freedom of expression, democracy and rule of law.

'GCC countries are standing arm-in-arm and Bahrain has their full support in all political, economic and defence reforms.'

He was speaking at a Press conference at the Ritz-Carlton Bahrain Hotel and Spa, Seef, where UAE Foreign Minister Shaikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan was present. Shaikh Khalid backed the efforts of the police and expressed regret over the deaths of protesters.

Shaikh Abdullah praised the strong ties between Bahrain and other GCC states. 'We have listened to our brothers about the developments over the last few days and on behalf of my country, we stand by the Bahraini leadership and the Bahraini people,' he said.

'Bahrain is a very important country and what is happening in Bahrain is going to have an impact on all GCC countries, and we must work together from now on,' he added.-TradeArabia News Service