The Secretary-General met today with His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, Crown Prince of Bahrain and Bahrain Defense Deputy Force Commander-in-Chief. The delegation of the Crown Prince included H.E. Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohamed Al Khalifa, Minister of Foreign Affairs.

The Secretary-General welcomed the lifting of emergency laws and the decision by His Majesty King Hamad to call for a national dialogue. He expressed the hope that such a dialogue would be genuine, meaningful and inclusive and respond to the legitimate political, economic and social aspirations of all Bahraini people. The Secretary-General welcomed the role played by His Royal Highness in support of such a national dialogue and reiterated the readiness of the United Nations to assist this process.

The Secretary-General reiterated his call on the Government and security forces in Bahrain to uphold international human rights norms and standards and welcomed the commitment and assurances made by the Crown Prince in this regard.