Ruler of Bahrain calls for integration with Qatar

The emir of Bahrain, Sheikh Hamad Bin Issa al-Khaleifa, has asserted that Bahrain seeks to maintain a peaceful solution to the border crisis with Qatar.

In a press statement released in Manama on Wednesday, Sheikh Hamad added that integration between Qatar and Bahrain should be made in various fields with the objective of maintaining actual closeness between citizens in the two states.

A border dispute between the two states was brought to the International Court of Justice in the Hague.

Qatar calls for maintaining sovereignty over Hawar and Fishat al-Duble islands in the Gulf region which are controlled by Bahrain. Bahrain, moreover, asks for sovereignty over the al-Zeyara district on the coast of Qatar.