Envy 'led to Iran plot', says Bahrain

ABU DHABI // Envy of the success of GCC countries was behind an alleged Iranian plot to assassinate the Saudi ambassador to the US, a Bahraini official says.

Hassan Issa Al Samim, the acting undersecretary of the Bahraini ministry of interior, said yesterday in the capital that his ministry "strongly supports all efforts by the Saudi ministry of interior to face these terror attacks".

Mr Al Samim said at a meeting of GCC interior ministry undersecretaries that the plot, which his country "strongly deplores", was the work of "foreigners who are envious of the Gulf". He said an attack on any GCC country was an attack on all members.

US authorities last week charged two Iranian men with plotting to kill the ambassador, Adel Al Jubeir, in a bomb attack in Washington, claiming they were working for the Iranian government.

Yesterday's meeting was chaired by Saif Abdullah Al Shafar, the undersecretary of the UAE Ministry of Interior. It continues today.

Security at the Yas Hotel was tight for the meeting yesterday, with metal detectors, body pat-downs and thorough bag searches.

osalem@thenational.ae