The summit was meant to show a united front between the countries for regional prosperity and stability, and against Iran, which threatens all the participating countries.
Even before dinner began, sources close to Lapid said that in his initial meetings with the foreign ministers of Bahrain and Egypt, they began to discuss “ideas to promote a regional security architecture to build deterrence against threats from the air and the sea” – also known as Iran.
Behind closed doors, Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdullatif Al Zayani, whose country hosts the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet, talked about building a “mini-NATO” of countries facing similar security challenges. He was also the only Arab foreign minister to specifically mention the threats from Iran and its proxies, like the Houthis and Hezbollah, in his public remarks.
The six top diplomats sat at one table in the luxurious Kedma Hotel for a dinner that included lamb chops, Jerusalem artichoke and Ben-Gurion rice. The atmosphere was warm and friendly, sources close to Lapid said. READ MORE
