MANAMA — Both chambers of the Bahraini parliament have slammed the interception by Qatari Coast and Border Security patrols of two Bahraini Coast Guard vessels taking part in a maritime exercise “Al Manaa,’’ north of Fasht Al Dibal island, on Wednesday.

In separate statements on Thursday, Bahrain’s Shura Council and Council of Representatives condemned the Qatari action as a threat to security and peace in the Arabian Gulf region.

The councils affirmed that the incident occurred in the territorial waters of Bahrain in accordance with the provisions of Law 8 / 1993 regarding the territorial sea of Bahrain and the adjacent area.

The provisions of this law are still in force and have not been repealed or amended according to any other legislation, the councils added.

Bahrain has the right to continue to exercise its sovereignty over its territorial waters and conceding or giving up any part of its territory is not permissible, according to the principles of the National Action Charter and the provisions of the Constitution of the kingdom, according to the statements.

The Bahraini parliament renewed its call to the government of Qatar to respect existing laws, the relevant international norms, and the GCC agreements, regulations, and decisions. — SG