TEHRAN // Iran rejected today claims by the Gulf Cooperation Council that it is interfering in the grouping's internal affairs, insisting that Tehran stays away from domestic issues of other countries.
"Iran's intervention in Bahrain's affairs is a claim contrary to reality and it is made in order to escape from the real problems and will bear no results," the Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said at his weekly press conference.
"We have not, are not, will not interfere in the domestic issues of any country."
Bahrain at the weekend urged the council to stand united against Iran's "interference".
The GCC "looks forward towards better relations with Iran, but unfortunately the latter continues to interfere in their internal affairs," said the Bahraini foreign minister, Sheikh Khaled Al Khalifa.
"It is important for our countries to stand united against such interference" from Iran, Bahrain's top diplomat said.
Bahrain in February accused Iran of having formed a "terrorist cell" to foster violence in the kingdom.
The claim was the latest in a series of accusations against Iran that it backs activists demanding a greater say for the Shiite majority in Bahrain's politics.
Mr Mehmanparast said Bahrain should listen to its own people.
He urged Bahrain "to seek correct solutions for its problems, which is listening to the legitimate demands of their own people instead of taking military and security action".
Bahrain has witnessed two years of political upheaval linked to opposition demands for a real constitutional monarchy, with the unrest claiming at least 80 lives, according to international rights groups.
Aside from Bahrain, the GCC comprises the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait and Oman.
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
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Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
Overview
What: The Arab Women’s Sports Tournament is a biennial multisport event exclusively for Arab women athletes.
When: From Sunday, February 2, to Wednesday, February 12.
Where: At 13 different centres across Sharjah.
Disciplines: Athletics, archery, basketball, fencing, Karate, table tennis, shooting (rifle and pistol), show jumping and volleyball.
Participating countries: Algeria, Bahrain, Comoros, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Qatar and UAE.
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MATCH INFO
Manchester United 2 (Heaton (og) 42', Lindelof 64')
Aston Villa 2 (Grealish 11', Mings 66')
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Barcelona v Liverpool, Wednesday, 11pm (UAE).
Second leg
Liverpool v Barcelona, Tuesday, May 7, 11pm
Games on BeIN Sports
The specs
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Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
Islamophobia definition
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
