MANAMA, JULY 23, SPA -- Bahrain’s appointed upper chamber approved a law to combat terrorism already passed by the elected parliament. The 40-member Majlis al-Shura, or consultative council, which is named by the king, approved the legislation almost unanimously within minutes, days after it was passed by the elected parliament with a 30-10 vote. The legislation, which must be ratified by King Hamad, provides for the death penalty, jail terms reaching life imprisonment, and house arrest for acts of terror or the establishment of terrorist groups. It defines terrorism as "the use, or threat of use, of force or any other illegitimate means ... to execute an individual or collective criminal venture with the aim of disturbing public order, endangering the kingdom’s security, or harming national unity or the security of the international community." Acts considered offenses under existing penal codes or other laws also come under the label of terrorism "if they are perpetrated for a terrorist goal." The list of offenses punishable under the new law includes the establishment of organizations with the purpose of "seeking to obstruct the constitution or laws, or prevent a state institution from performing its task, or ... undermine national unity using terrorist means." On his part, assistant undersecretary for legal affairs at the interior ministry, Colonel Mohammad Bu Hmud, clarified that the law would not punish people over their intentions. "Intentions must be coupled with deeds" if anyone is to be penalized, he told AFP. --SPA 1405 Local Time 1105 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/377599