The presence of foreign troops in Bahrain is justified by existing "external threats" rather than by the need to suppress a wave of anti-government protests in the country, Bahraini Foreign Minister Sheikh Khaled bin Ahmed al Khalifa said on Wednesday.
Iranian Shiites recently condemned the 1,500-strong Gulf Arab force in Bahrain as an "occupation" by Sunni states against Bahrain's Shiite majority.
"Bahrain is still facing external threats on the regional level...and in this sense, Peninsula Shield forces cannot be seen as occupational," al Khalifa said in an interview with Radio Sawa.
The current political unrest in Bahrain started in February with opposition protesters demanding far-reaching democratic reforms in the mainly Shiite country which has been ruled by a Sunni Muslim dynasty for more than 200 years.
Since the arrival of the Saudi-led contingent in the country and the introduction of a three- month curfew, the opposition has faced waves of arrests and deadly crackdowns.
Bahrain, which is home to the United States' 5th Fleet, and its Arab neighbors have accused Bahrain's protesters of having links to foreign militant groups such as the Iranian-backed Hezbollah.
The Bahrain military commander, Sheik Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, said earlier in May that the Gulf Arab force would remain in the country even after the emergency rule is lifted in June.
MOSCOW, June 1 (RIA Novosti)
