Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Tens of thousands of supporters of Bahrain’s Shiite-led opposition filled streets in Manama Tuesday demanding the fall of the government in the biggest protest since unrest began last week, while the return of a key opposition figure was delayed.

The protesters marched from Manama’s Bahrain Mall to Pearl Square to press demands for political reform.
Led by opposition groups such as Wefaq and Waad, it was the first organized demonstration and followed spontaneous protests by a rising youth movement relying on social media.

Those leading the protest carried a large banner reading, “The march of loyalty to martyrs” which bore the pictures of seven protesters killed by security forces. “We want the fall of the government” was the most common chant.
“Some want the family out but most [want] only the prime minister [to quit],” said protester Abbas Al-Fardan.
The protesters want a constitutional monarchy, in contrast to the current system where Bahrainis vote for a Parliament that has little power and policy remains the preserve of an elite centered on the Al-Khalifa family.

Embattled Bahraini King Hamad bin Issa Al-Khalifa was the focus of the anger of thousands of Bahraini women, who shouted: “May your hands be paralyzed, Hamad.” Others condemned Prime Minister Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman who has been in office since 1971 and who is widely despised by the Shiites.

“After the massacre of Thursday … I don’t believe in any dialogue,” said 20-year-old Mohammad, who refused to give his family name out of “fear of oppression.” He referred to a police raid on Pearl Square early Thursday that left four dead and scores wounded.

Hassan Mushaimaa, leader of the opposition Haq movement, said on his Facebook page Monday that he wanted to see if the island nation’s leadership was serious about dialogue. Mushaimaa, who is based in London, was due to arrive Tuesday evening. He is one of 25 people on trial since last year over an alleged coup plot.

But Mushaimaa was unable to board his flight to Bahrain in Beirut where he had landed earlier for a planned stopover. Abbas al-Amran, who described himself as the opposition leader’s friend said Mushaimaa’s name had probably still been blacklisted on security lists.

But state media said the king had ordered the release of convicted prisoners whose names would be released Wednesday and a halt to ongoing court cases.
“We’re expecting this even though we don’t know for sure,” said Jasim Husain of the Shiite Wefaq group. It was not clear if this would be enough to bring opposition groups into a dialogue.

“His royal highness continues to call for all Bahrainis to engage in this new process [of dialogue] to move away from polarization and ensure that sectarianism does not take root,” said government spokeswoman Maysoun Sabkar.
Bahrain remains a key U.S. ally, and chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Mike Mullen had words of support for the leadership Tuesday.

“The crown prince and the king took bold steps a couple of days ago by pulling their forces off the street … He clearly has taken steps to engage the opposition, if you will,” Mullen said. “I think those are positive steps and we will see where it goes from there,” he added.
U.S. State Department spokesman Philip J. Crowley also praised Bahrain’s leadership Tuesday, saying that “we view recent announcements to launch a national dialogue and the release of political prisoners as positive steps toward  addressing the concerns of Bahraini citizens.”

The Bahrain government denies it treats Shiites unfairly and in a rally widely covered by state television Monday, thousands carried Bahraini flags and signs supporting unity and the dialogue proposed by the government. – Agencies