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MANAMA - Bahrain's ruling dynasty and an anti-regime movement are locked in a deepening standoff, and both sides agree there is no turning back as protesters continue to hit the streets in their thousands.
The Shiite-led opposition said it wants to join the dialogue proposed by Crown Prince Salman following deadly protests, but only after the government resigns.
An official said on Wednesday the government's patience "has its limits."
"The situation in Bahrain is now irreversible. The regime knows it cannot turn back, and the opposition will certainly not back down," Ali Fakhro, a political analyst and former education minister, told AFP.
"I think the government is well aware that there is a problem that must be dealt with and that ignoring the demands of protesters . . . will only give rise to the same problems again."
A string of popular uprisings against regimes across the Arab world has spilled over into the majority Shiite kingdom of Bahrain, a strategic U.S. ally that is just a boat ride from Iran.
Since February 14, thousands of mainly Shiite protesters have daily taken to the streets of the capital Manama, home of the U.S. Fifth Fleet, to demand the fall of the Sunni al-Khalifa dynasty which has ruled unchallenged for 200 years.
They are also calling for major reforms to end what they say are decades of oppression and rights deprivation.
The tiny archipelago carries special significance as it neighbours Saudi Arabia, which has its own Shiite minority concentrated in Eastern Province, close to Bahrain.
The Shiite-led coalition of Bahraini opposition groups is adamant in demanding the resignation of the government before the wide-reaching talks offered by Crown Prince Salman.
"Our primary demand is the resignation of the current government and its replacement with a government of national salvation," said MP Jalil Khalil, head of the Shiite Al-Wefaq parliamentary bloc which is spearheading the seven-group opposition alliance.
Such a government should be "formed of technocrats representing both the Sunni and Shiite communities," he told AFP.
"The opposition has not refused dialogue," said Khalil, whose bloc resigned from parliament in protest at the killing of seven demonstrators last month.
In Bahrain uprising, there's no turning back
MANAMA - Bahrain's ruling dynasty and an anti-regime movement are locked in a deepening standoff, and both sides agree there is no turning back as protesters continue to hit the streets in their thousands.
The Shiite-led opposition said it wants to join the dialogue proposed by Crown Prince Salman following deadly protests, but only after the government resigns.
An official said on Wednesday the government's patience "has its limits."
"The situation in Bahrain is now irreversible. The regime knows it cannot turn back, and the opposition will certainly not back down," Ali Fakhro, a political analyst and former education minister, told AFP.
"I think the government is well aware that there is a problem that must be dealt with and that ignoring the demands of protesters . . . will only give rise to the same problems again."
A string of popular uprisings against regimes across the Arab world has spilled over into the majority Shiite kingdom of Bahrain, a strategic U.S. ally that is just a boat ride from Iran.
Since February 14, thousands of mainly Shiite protesters have daily taken to the streets of the capital Manama, home of the U.S. Fifth Fleet, to demand the fall of the Sunni al-Khalifa dynasty which has ruled unchallenged for 200 years.
They are also calling for major reforms to end what they say are decades of oppression and rights deprivation.
The tiny archipelago carries special significance as it neighbours Saudi Arabia, which has its own Shiite minority concentrated in Eastern Province, close to Bahrain.
The Shiite-led coalition of Bahraini opposition groups is adamant in demanding the resignation of the government before the wide-reaching talks offered by Crown Prince Salman.
"Our primary demand is the resignation of the current government and its replacement with a government of national salvation," said MP Jalil Khalil, head of the Shiite Al-Wefaq parliamentary bloc which is spearheading the seven-group opposition alliance.
Such a government should be "formed of technocrats representing both the Sunni and Shiite communities," he told AFP.
"The opposition has not refused dialogue," said Khalil, whose bloc resigned from parliament in protest at the killing of seven demonstrators last month.
Read more: In Bahrain uprising, there's no turning back
In Bahrain uprising, there's no turning back
MANAMA - Bahrain's ruling dynasty and an anti-regime movement are locked in a deepening standoff, and both sides agree there is no turning back as protesters continue to hit the streets in their thousands.
The Shiite-led opposition said it wants to join the dialogue proposed by Crown Prince Salman following deadly protests, but only after the government resigns.
An official said on Wednesday the government's patience "has its limits."
"The situation in Bahrain is now irreversible. The regime knows it cannot turn back, and the opposition will certainly not back down," Ali Fakhro, a political analyst and former education minister, told AFP.
"I think the government is well aware that there is a problem that must be dealt with and that ignoring the demands of protesters . . . will only give rise to the same problems again."
A string of popular uprisings against regimes across the Arab world has spilled over into the majority Shiite kingdom of Bahrain, a strategic U.S. ally that is just a boat ride from Iran.
Since February 14, thousands of mainly Shiite protesters have daily taken to the streets of the capital Manama, home of the U.S. Fifth Fleet, to demand the fall of the Sunni al-Khalifa dynasty which has ruled unchallenged for 200 years.
They are also calling for major reforms to end what they say are decades of oppression and rights deprivation.
The tiny archipelago carries special significance as it neighbours Saudi Arabia, which has its own Shiite minority concentrated in Eastern Province, close to Bahrain.
The Shiite-led coalition of Bahraini opposition groups is adamant in demanding the resignation of the government before the wide-reaching talks offered by Crown Prince Salman.
"Our primary demand is the resignation of the current government and its replacement with a government of national salvation," said MP Jalil Khalil, head of the Shiite Al-Wefaq parliamentary bloc which is spearheading the seven-group opposition alliance.
Such a government should be "formed of technocrats representing both the Sunni and Shiite communities," he told AFP.
"The opposition has not refused dialogue," said Khalil, whose bloc resigned from parliament in protest at the killing of seven demonstrators last month.
Read more: In Bahrain uprising, there's no turning back
We really are watching history being made
Sorry friends i was busy with some.
Political associates submit there demands and conditions to start the dialog with Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad.
The protesters organize marchs every day to make stress on the current illegal government.
i hope what they want is a constitutional republic with elected representativesSorry friends i was busy with some.
Political associates submit there demands and conditions to start the dialog with Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad.
The protesters organize marchs every day to make stress on the current illegal government.
Good to hear you are doing ok Bareed. I hope the Bahraini people keep pushing and get what they want.
i hope what they want is a constitutional republic with elected representativesSorry friends i was busy with some.
Political associates submit there demands and conditions to start the dialog with Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad.
The protesters organize marchs every day to make stress on the current illegal government.
Good to hear you are doing ok Bareed. I hope the Bahraini people keep pushing and get what they want.
i hope what they want is a constitutional republic with elected representativesSorry friends i was busy with some.
Political associates submit there demands and conditions to start the dialog with Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad.
The protesters organize marchs every day to make stress on the current illegal government.
Good to hear you are doing ok Bareed. I hope the Bahraini people keep pushing and get what they want.
Protests in Bahrain between Sunni and majority Shi'ite Muslims have erupted into sectarian violence for the first time since anti-government demonstrations started some two weeks ago.
Residents of Hamad town said Friday that police intervened to disperse young Sunnis and Shi'ites who clashed late Thursday.
Media reports say several people were injured in the violence. It is unclear what caused the incident.
Anti-government protesters gathered throughout the small Gulf island nation for the past two weeks, demanding the resignation of the government.
Unlike those held elsewhere in the Arab world, the protests in Bahrain are largely built around the competition for power between the Sunni minority and the Shi'ite majority, who complain of discrimination and lack of opportunity. Protesters say they want the Sunni monarchy to transfer powers to an elected government that is representative of the Gulf state's majority Shi'ites.
A government crackdown on opposition protests that began February 14 killed seven demonstrators before the island state's rulers agreed, under pressure from their Western allies, to allow peaceful demonstrations to continue.
Protests in Bahrain between Sunni and majority Shi'ite Muslims have erupted into sectarian violence for the first time since anti-government demonstrations started some two weeks ago.
Residents of Hamad town said Friday that police intervened to disperse young Sunnis and Shi'ites who clashed late Thursday.
Media reports say several people were injured in the violence. It is unclear what caused the incident.
Anti-government protesters gathered throughout the small Gulf island nation for the past two weeks, demanding the resignation of the government.
Unlike those held elsewhere in the Arab world, the protests in Bahrain are largely built around the competition for power between the Sunni minority and the Shi'ite majority, who complain of discrimination and lack of opportunity. Protesters say they want the Sunni monarchy to transfer powers to an elected government that is representative of the Gulf state's majority Shi'ites.
A government crackdown on opposition protests that began February 14 killed seven demonstrators before the island state's rulers agreed, under pressure from their Western allies, to allow peaceful demonstrations to continue.
New Sectarian Violence Erupts in Bahrain Protests | Middle East | English
so, if i understand this correctly, the sunni brought in shia nationals from other countries to do work, and now the shia want full rights as citizens?
Protests in Bahrain between Sunni and majority Shi'ite Muslims have erupted into sectarian violence for the first time since anti-government demonstrations started some two weeks ago.
Residents of Hamad town said Friday that police intervened to disperse young Sunnis and Shi'ites who clashed late Thursday.
Media reports say several people were injured in the violence. It is unclear what caused the incident.
Anti-government protesters gathered throughout the small Gulf island nation for the past two weeks, demanding the resignation of the government.
Unlike those held elsewhere in the Arab world, the protests in Bahrain are largely built around the competition for power between the Sunni minority and the Shi'ite majority, who complain of discrimination and lack of opportunity. Protesters say they want the Sunni monarchy to transfer powers to an elected government that is representative of the Gulf state's majority Shi'ites.
A government crackdown on opposition protests that began February 14 killed seven demonstrators before the island state's rulers agreed, under pressure from their Western allies, to allow peaceful demonstrations to continue.
New Sectarian Violence Erupts in Bahrain Protests | Middle East | English
It was between Original Bahrainis against People whom brought by govt. and they have nationality.
Shaikh Ali Salman, General Secretary of Al-Wefaq Islamic Association said: " We don't want to remove Al-Khalifa dictatorship to fall in Shiite Dictatorship or Partisan Dictatorship, we want Bahrain to be for all Bahrainis". 6 Mach 2011.
Dozens of Shia Muslim political activists in Bahrain have gathered outside the US embassy, one of several scenes of protest in the Gulf state, calling on Washington to press for political reforms.
Activists gathered at a fence set up in front of the embassy on Monday, chanting slogans in English and Arabic against the monarchy of Hamad bin Issa Al-Khalifa.
Opposition supporters claim that the US is showing less support for the movements in Bahrain than it did for the uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt that ousted those countries' presidents.
The AFP news agency reported that a US embassy political officer, Ludovic Hood, brought a box of doughnuts for
the demonstrators as they gathered down the street from the embassy in the run-up to the rally.
"These sweets are a good gesture, but we hope it is translated into practical actions," Mohammed Hassan, who wore the white turban of a cleric, told Hood.
But Zeinab al-Khawaja, a protest organiser, told Al Jazeera that the US needed to keep its distance from events in Bahrain.
"We want America not to get involved, we can overthrow this regime," she said. "All we want is for America not to support the dictatorship in Bahrain."
Bahrain is a strategic US ally and home to the US Fifth Fleet.
MANAMA (Reuters) Sectarian clashes erupted at a school in Bahrain Thursday, fuelling fears a planned march on the royal court Friday could inflame the Gulf island where a majority of citizens is Shi'ite but the ruling family is Sunni.
Bahrain, home to the U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet, has been gripped by the worst unrest since the 1990s since protesters took to the streets last month, inspired by uprisings that unseated entrenched rulers in Egypt and Tunisia.
Moderate opposition leaders urged hardliners to cancel Friday's march, warning it could spark serious clashes between Shi'ites protesting against the government and Sunnis who support it.
Witnesses said fighting broke out at a school in the town of Sar, an area where both Shi'ites and Sunni live, when some Shi'ite pupils launched anti-government protests Thursday.
They said parents from naturalized families -- Sunnis mainly from Syria and Pakistan who hold Bahraini passports -- came to the school. Shi'ite parents later arrived and clashes erupted.
Shi'ites say they are excluded from jobs in the security forces and view Bahrain's practice of settling Sunni foreigners serving in police as an attempt by its Sunni rulers to change the sectarian balance, an accusation the government denies.
"During the break we went on a peaceful protest, we gathered, a few girls. Next thing we know a group of naturalized people were let into school and the school door was locked, they had iron and wooden sticks and knives," said one student.
Security Forces with "Balthajiah" attack protesters in University of Bahrain (UoB).. UoB security guards allow "Balthajiah" to get in and beat students.
