His Majesty King Hamad last night reaffirmed his firm resolve to engage all segments of Bahraini people, as announced in his keynote address to the UN General Assembly 66th session.

He pledged to spare no efforts to meet the aspirations of all people to decent living, freedom, democracy, justice and equality.

His Majesty described these pillars as being the cornerstone of the modern state.

He hailed Bahrain's history and established policy based on co-existence, pluralism and diversity between all sects, creeds and religions.

He also pledged that Bahrain will remain firmly committed to dialogue in order to attain the goals that achieve people's aspirations to freedom and democracy.

'Bahrain has succeeded all along its history in preserving its civilised and spiritual status, promoting coexistence and tolerance, without denying any social category, group or sect the right to express its opinion.

'Bahrain embraces all people, providing they commit to the rule of law, democracy, freedom and the country's heritage, traditions and norms,' the King said.

The kingdom is stronger than ever today, thanks to its people's support and international backing, His Majesty said, and stressed his resolve to continue the momentum of reform, democracy and development.

He thanked delegations at the General Assembly for appreciating his speech that was delivered on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Supreme Council for Youth and Sport Chairman and Bahrain Olympic Committee President Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa hailed the royal UN address.

He said the speech covered all internal and external issues, including the Kingdom's commitment to carrying on with the reform and development march in Bahrain and providing citizens with a decent life.

The speech voiced citizens' aspirations to further boost the civil state on the basis of the National Action Charter and the Kingdom's constitution, he revealed.

He said that the royal address highlighted the reform march, spearheaded by His Majesty since his accession to the throne, as well as the royal keenness to promote democracy, boost civil and political freedoms and protect human rights.

Shaikh Nasser described the National Consensus Dialogue as one of the dividends of the royal reform project. He also praised the royal call to foster justice, equality and international peace and stability all over the world.

Supreme Council for Youth and Sport First Deputy Chairman and Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation President Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa said the speech shed light on local, regional and international developments and underlined the royal keenness to promote Bahrain's status as one of the leading countries in terms of development, human affairs and respect of the international law.

Shaikh Khalid commended the royal speech saying that it cast light on major Arab and international issues.

Shura Council Chairman Ali Saleh Al Saleh said the King's call to move towards more reform and development  underlines His Majesty's resolve to press ahead with the reform process and promote law and democracy in Bahrain.

He also commended the kingdom's commitment to the UN principles of promoting peace worldwide as well as its keenness to contribute to the efforts to achieve just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East, end the Israeli occupation of all Arab lands and help the Palestinian people get their legitimate rights, including the right to establish their independent state with Al Quds as its capital. -TradeArabia News Service