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By Jillian Andrews
Bahraini soldiers yesterday fired upon pro-democracy protesters near the Pearl roundabout in Manama, the Bahraini capital, and opposition political leaders have refused to hold a "national dialogue" with the royal family. Abdul Jalil Khalil Ibrahim, the head of the main opposition Wefaq bloc, demanded that the government must resign and the army must vacate the streets of Manama in order for any dialogue with the royal family. The group quit the Parliament on Thursday.
Ibrahim Mattar, a member of the group, said his party did not believe there was a "serious will for dialogue because the military is in the streets". Earlier, Sheikh Hamad ibn Isa Al Khalifa, the King of Bahrain, had asked Sheikh Salman bin Hamad al-Khalifa, the crown prince, to start a national dialogue "with all parties".
The European Union's foreign policy chief, Catherine Ashton, also urged both parties to start dialogue process "without delay". Ashton expressed concern over the use of violence by security forces, and called on all sides to show "restraint".
Meanwhile, the military today completed a withdrawal of troops from the Pearl roundabout. The officials at Manama’s Salmaniya Hospital said that at least 66 people were injured in yesterday’s crackdown. Protesters alleged that the security forces used tear gas and live bullets to disperse them. The crown prince today addressed the nation, calling for calm, saying it was "time for dialogue, not fighting". "The dialogue is always open and the reforms continue," Sheikh Hamad al-Khalifa said on Bahrain TV.
"We need to call for self-restraint from all sides, the armed forces, security men and citizens," he said. "I urge you, there should be calm. Now is time for calm."
Country profile: Bahrain
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