Officials said Bahrain has bolstered deployment of troops and police
ahead of the Manama Dialogue, cosponsored by the London-based International
Institute of Strategic Studies, Middle East Newsline reported. They said the security forces were assigned
to protect key roads, intersections and Manama airport for the arrival
of dozens of foreign leaders and senior officials.
"This is really the biggest event of the year for Bahrain in terms of
security," IISS Middle East managing director Mark Allworthy said.
Officials said organizers have been in communications with the Interior
Ministry, Bahrain Defense Forces and the Royal Court. They said security
forces would surrounded six hotels that contain government delegations.
"We are in daily communication with the Interior Ministry, the Bahrain
Defense Force and The Royal Court with regard to the correct protocol
arrangements for the delegates," Allworthy said.
The Manama Dialogue, scheduled for Dec. 3-6, has invited military and
intelligence chiefs from more than 25 countries. Other guests have included
prime ministers, foreign ministers, defense ministers and national security
advisers. The key addresses were scheduled to be given by Jordan's King
Abdullah and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
"The seventh IISS Regional Security Summit, the Manama Dialogue, will
bring together the highest concentration to date of policymakers involved in
regional security," IISS said.