Saturday, April 09, 2011

Bahrain: Bahraini Crown Prince Advocates National Unity as Building Block for Bahrain's Future

Source: Bahrain News Agency

National unity will lead Bahrain out of its current unrest, Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa said yesterday in an address to the nation. In the speech broadcast on Bahrain Television, the Crown Prince called for unity so that the country can move forward with reforms and building a better future through modernization and development.

"Today, we must embed the concept of respect for the rule of law and co-existence. We must affirm the concept of justice and the value of working together towards development and progress and away from division and extremism," Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa said.

According to the Crown Prince, division threatens stability and progress while also impinging on the government's ability to effectively implement reforms. Although the work of constitutional institutions has previously been obstructed, they will continue to participate in King Hamad's reform project, he said.

"At this time, we must emphasize the established principles that all of us believe and have attained from the reform project ... I will not spare any effort in participating, as honored and assigned by His Majesty the King, to the progress of this reform," he said.

The Crown Prince thanked the Bahrain Defence Force, the police and the National Guard for reinstating security and ensuring the safety of all citizens today and also expressed confidence in the nation's future.

"The future is bright for all of us and opportunities are there for all. It is based on this principle that we must move forward – it is the rock upon which we build the future of our country and future generations."

The full speech can be seen here.