Former Iraqi premier responds to Bahrain’s criticism of his remarks
Former Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has responded to the Bahraini regime’s recent criticism of his latest remarks, where he had censured the ruling Aal-e Khalifah regime over crackdown on political dissidents and pro-democracy campaigners in the tiny Persian Gulf island State.
“We did not demand interference in the affairs of Bahrain or any other country, as the others interfere in our affairs. We did not allow violence and we do not encourage anyone to do so,” Maliki, who now heads the State of Law Coalition in the Iraqi parliament, wrote in a post published on his official Twitter page on Wednesday.
He then called for “dialogue and rejection of marginalization and the exercise of political tyranny.”
Maliki also stressed “respect for people and their right to freedom and the use of constitutional mechanisms and democracy in dealing with crises.”
On Monday, Bahrain's Foreign Ministry summoned the deputy charge d'affaires of the Iraqi embassy to condemn Maliki’s comments regarding the Manama regime’s crackdown on dissent.
The ministry described the remarks as “blatant and unacceptable interference in the internal affairs of Bahrain.”
“(A Bahraini official) described Maliki’s attitude as a clear solidarity with those who seek to spread chaos, violence and terrorism and exhibit hatred,” Bahrain’s state-run news agency BNA reported.
SS
