THE anti-corruption, economic and electronic security acting general director yesterday reiterated that $ 11 million (BD4.15m) had entered Bahrain through legal channels.

He was reacting to an Al Arabiya report that claimed customs officials found the cash with a non-resident US passenger who arrived at the airport from Italy.

The report attributing sources claimed the money was linked to a local currency exchange and allocated to support a political opposition society.

He said the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB) received a letter on June 19, from US authorities requesting the cash be allowed in to pay salaries of their servicemen in Bahrain and the Gulf.

The CBB, which is the financial regulator, co-ordinated efforts with the Foreign Ministry to process the request.

He said the US Embassy still had not received approval on Thursday. It notified the ministry that the money was scheduled to arrive on a military plane that was to land in a military zone at the airport.

When the carrier arrived, customs officials asked for documents and identifications related to the transfer and released the money after obtaining approval from the ministry and following procedures.

The Al Asala Islamic Bloc, meanwhile, said people wanted to know the truth about the US citizen, alleged involvement of the exchange and Al Arabiya's claim.

It described as "vague" an embassy statement which denied the money was for a society.

"How can a great power carry such a large sum in bags to pay salaries to its staff in the 21st century and not use advanced technology to transfer money?" it asked in a statement.

It also criticised authorities' stance that the cash was for servicemen and said people were not convinced.

"Was it the first time a US citizen was stopped at the airport for carrying such a large amount, in breach of international conventions?" Al Asala asked.

It claimed amounts were being allocated for sectarian groups and they were distributing money in dollars in light of the US ambassador's sympathy as part of his country's commitment to provide support to enable them to achieve their goals.

Al Asala reiterated its demand that the ambassador be replaced. It claimed he posed a grave threat to national security, alleging that his agenda aimed at supporting groups that believe in Welayat Al Faqih (theocracy) and follow the Iraqi experience.