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Bahrain Reveals Phone Calls Showing Qatar’s Role in 2011 Events | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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Ali Salman (left) and Hamad bin Jassim Al Thani (AFP)


Manama– Bahrain’s state television accused Qatar of helping instigate anti-government protests back in 2011.

The report claimed Qatar backed anti-government protests saying that Qatar’s former prime minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem Al Thani contacted in 2011 Ali Salman, head of dissolved association al-Wefaq, and asked him to urge protesters to flood the streets and escalate the situation as to exacerbate it and undermine Bahrain’s interests and stability.

It broadcast recordings of telephone calls between al-Thani and Salman in which it claimed they agreed to escalations to destabilize the situation in the country.

Following the report, Public Prosecution had launched investigation into the telephone call. It added that this represents a crime of exchanging intelligence information with a foreign country to jeopardize the kingdom’s national interests, according to Bahrain News Agency (BNA).

The Public Prosecution will announce the outcome of the investigation as soon as it is over.

Bahrain´s Information Minister Ali al-Rumaihi described the calls as a “dangerous link in the chain of Qatari conspiracy against stability in Bahrain and the Gulf.”

The voice record, the minister noted, is an additional evidence on Qatar’s interference in Bahrain’s internal affairs, support to extremist groups and targeting of the Peninsula Shield forces.

Rumaihi pointed out that Bahrain is one of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries most harmed by the Qatari hostile political, security and media practices which have gone on for years and reached their peak in 2011.

The minister claimed that Qatar’s interventions were documented by the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry which showed implication in a dubious foreign plot in Bahrain.

Rumaihi confirmed that Bahrain will not allow any interference in its domestic affairs adding that the kingdom had shown a lot of patience taking into consideration the historic fraternal ties with the Qatari people and all the GCC nationals.

He also pointed out that it has become unacceptable to show any more tolerance toward such interference. He added that it is within Bahrain’s full right to take the necessary procedures to protect its people and hold accountable those conspiring on its sovereignty and stability.

In the calls, Sheikh Hamad told Salman that the problem is that there was heavy pressure, adding: “Actually we went there to ease such pressure from some brothers, telling them that we should not resort to force (Peninsula Force).”

Salman reminded him that any use of force will complicate the situation, to which Al Thani responded: “We do not wish that anything happens by force, and this is our main aim. Please trust us. You know that we are always truthful with you.”

Salman expressed his trust in Qatar but told him that there are people who are firing bullets in some areas. “This is not a way that shows desire for dialogue. It shows a desire to use pressure and constraint,” stated Salman.

Sheikh Hamad assured him that this will stop, as he spoke about it.

Ali Salman then stated that the idea is that they do not want a speech that contains threats, informing him that he barely managed to convince his supporters.

Salman informed Sheikh Hamad about meeting Jeffrey Filtmen and tried to find a solution to what is happening during the meeting.

Bahrain stated that Sheikh Salman is the “architect of anarchy” in the conspiracy project against Barhain. The project involves five articles including forming an interim government within two months, withdrawal of Peninsula Force from Bahrain and release all detainees.