MANAMA:

Bahrain is fully behind the international community in its efforts to eliminate all forms of terrorism around the world, said Prime Minister Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa yesterday.

He expressed Bahrain's condemnation of the recent terrorist acts carried out against the United States, describing them as acts which "violated our tolerant Islamic religion and all civilised and humane principles."

The Premier, who was chairing the weekly Cabinet session, voiced Bahrain's deep condolences to the government and people of the US over the catastrophe.

He said Bahrain stood by the international community as it sought to maintain peace, security and stability for all people around the world.

At the outset of the session, the Prime Minister briefed members on two messages which HH the Amir Shaikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa had received from Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer and Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf about bilateral relations and other issues.

The Cabinet was then briefed by Foreign Minister Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa on the outcome of his visit to Kuwait during which he conveyed a message from the Amir to the Amir of Kuwait Shaikh Jaber Al Ahmed Al Jaber Al Sabah. He also reported on the signing of two protocols setting up a supreme joint committee between the two countries.

The Foreign Minister also briefed the Cabinet on the results a GCC ministerial council session held in Saudi Arabia and an Arab League session held in Cairo.

Housing and Agriculture Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa then reported on the outcome of a GCC housing ministers meeting held in Bahrain.

Oil Minister Shaikh Isa bin Ali Al Khalifa briefed the Cabinet on meetings he held with his Qatari counterpart during his recent visit to Bahrain about joint oil and gas ventures.

The Prime Minister underlined existing co-operation between Bahrain and Qatar and stressed the need to establish further joint projects.

Finance and National Economy Minister Abdulla Saif then briefed the Cabinet on an Arab League Arab economic and social council meeting held in Cairo before Education Minister Dr Mohammed Al Ghatam reported on an international education conference he attended in Geneva.

The Cabinet then reviewed a draft law endorsing Bahrain's joining of two protocols on child rights relating to the forceful participation of children in military struggles, prostitution and pornography.

Members were briefed by Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Dr Mohammed Abdul Ghaffar on the provisions of the two drafts which are intended to protect children in various fields in line with legislation applicable in Bahrain when it joined the Protocol of Child Rights in 1991.

The Cabinet then reviewed a memo presented by Transportation Minister Shaikh Ali bin Khalifa Al Khalifa on a draft air services protocol between Bahrain and Oman. The draft was referred to the ministerial legal affairs committee.

Members also agreed on Bahrain's participation in meetings of the International Tourism Organisation general assembly to be held in Seoul at the end of this month.