Al Jazeera
US calls for talks in Bahrain
US President Barack Obama has called for talks between the Bahraini government and the opposition as pro-democracy demonstrators continue their campaign for regime change in the Persian Gulf country.
"The United States supports the national dialogue initiative led by Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad al-Khalifa, and encourages a process that is meaningful, inclusive, non-sectarian, and responsive to the people of Bahrain," Obama said in a statement on Sunday.
According to the US president, the dialogue is an "opportunity for meaningful reform."
But, the protesters, camping out near Pearl Square in the capital Manama, are demanding the removal of the monarchy system in the tiny Persian Gulf littoral state.
Facing mass pro-democracy protests during the past two week, King Hamad bin Issa al-Khalifa reshuffled his cabinet on Sunday.
King Hamad also released political prisoners and allowed an exiled opposition leader to return to Bahrain in an attempt to appease the opposition.
Carrying Bahraini flags, pro-democracy protesters on Sunday shouted anti-government slogans and called for long-serving Prime Minister Sheikh Khalifa Bin Salman Al-Khalifa to step down.
A group of doctors and nurses also joined the protesters on Sunday to call for political reform in the country, which is headquarters of the US Navy's Fifth Fleet in a region.
At least seven people have lost their lives and hundreds wounded after pro-democracy protests started in Bahrain fourteen days ago.
http://aljazeera.com/news/articles/34/US-calls-for-talks-in-Bahrain.html
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