GCC member countries strongly criticized a Lebanese parliamentarian press statement on Bahrain's internal affairs, depicting it as running contrary to the cordial relations binding Lebanon with the GCC member states. During the meeting in Riyadh with Lebanese charge affairs in Riyadh Muneer Aanoti, Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al-Zayani, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), lodged an official protest from the GCC Member States expressing their strong condemnation of the irresponsible statements Michel Aoun, leader of the Change and Reform Bloc in the Lebanese parliament, made to Al-Alam channel on 12 February 2012 in which he misleadingly and offensively talked about the internal affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain, merely expressing prejudice views that go contrary to facts on the ground and realities in Bahrain. 'These statements are inconsistent with the fraternal and historical relations binding Lebanon with the GCC member states, expressing narrow interests and personal ambitions which drive contrary to the interests of Lebanon and the Arab Nation,' the note added. It stressed that the GCC member states do support the reforms projected by King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of the Kingdom of Bahrain, lauding the Bahraini King's directives to proceed with the national dialogue and reconciliation among all factions of the political spectrum of Bahrain. The GCC member states stand steadfast behind all the steps and initiatives taken by the Bahraini leadership in order to push forward the march of reforms, progress and prosperity, the note concluded.
