U.S. finalizes arms deal with Bahrain

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MANAMA, Bahrain, Oct. 18 (UPI) -- A top U.S. diplomat confirmed Tuesday the United States has finalized a $53 million weapons deal with the Persian Gulf Kingdom of Bahrain.

Stephen Seche, deputy assistant secretary of state for Arabian Peninsula Affairs, said the deal is part of a move to defend Bahrain from aggression, Gulf News reported.

Stability in Bahrain is vital to the United States and its coalition partners in the war against terror. Ships of the U.S. Navy Fifth Fleet and other navies uses its port and coordinate their anti-terror operations from Bahrain.

In a related matter, Seche said the United States was looking forward to the findings of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry scheduled for release Oct. 30.

The panel was set up in June to investigate rioting that occurred in the kingdom during February and March. Thousands of people have been interviewed by the commission in an effort to find out what really happened.