MANAMA — Bahrain is committed to achieving the two-state solution, including the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with the Arab Peace Initiative, said Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa on Monday as he reiterated the kingdom's firm and unwavering stance in support of the Palestinian cause. King Hamad said the agreement signed recently in Washington with Israel is in line with Bahrain's vision to reach comprehensive peace as a strategic option to promote the peace and stability processes in the Middle East, which will contribute to consolidating global security and peace. King Hamad made the remarks during a regular weekly Cabinet session chaired by him and attended by Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa and other ministers, the Bahrain News Agency reported. The Bahraini king affirmed that the agreement is a significant historic step toward achieving comprehensive peace across the Middle East and realizing the aspirations of the people of the region and of all religions, for security, stability, and progress, adding that the move emanates from the spirit of coexistence for which Bahrain has always been known. "Among the goals that we envisioned and sought to achieve through the declaration supporting peace is to make the world recognize that peace is our message and strategic option and that tolerance and coexistence are among the most important characteristics of our authentic Bahrain identity. We are tolerant, and we love peace and coexistence," King Hamad said. "True coexistence and real peace are those based on the acceptance of the other, and this is the essence of the Bahraini citizens and their deep-rooted characteristics. We boast that our people is among the kindest on earth, as everyone confirms, and this kindness has entitled Bahrain to be a beacon for intellectual, cultural, religious and sectarian diversity," he added. King Hamad expressed pride in the widespread Arab and global welcome of Bahrain's decision. "We are pleased with the great and wide welcome of this historic step that has won global acclaim and has been lauded by organizations and countries from various continents," the Bahraini king said. "We affirm that our steps toward peace and prosperity are not directed against any entity or power. In fact, they are in the interest of everyone and aim at ensuring good neighborliness and working for it." King Hamad also congratulated Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman, the government and people of Saudi Arabia on their country's 90th National Day, wishing the Kingdom further progress and prosperity. He lauded the precautionary and preventive measures reinforced in Bahrain to mitigate the spread of coronavirus, praising the extraordinary cooperation of the citizens with the public institutions that have harnessed all their potentials to combat the pandemic. He said that Bahrain's outstanding management of the COVID-19 crisis is a success story that has drawn the world's attention thanks to its accomplishment in controlling and adapting to the challenges of the exceptional circumstances created by the pandemic without facing any difficulties, or restricting the freedom of movement or imposing full or partial lockdown until now.
