AhlulBayt News Agency

source : Iran Daily
Sunday

23 December 2012

8:30:00 PM
375018

Bahrain Protesters Demand Removal of PM

Thousands of Shiite protesters in Bahrain on Saturday demanded a transitional government and the removal of Prime Minister Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman Al-Khalifa, who has been premier since 1974, witnesses said.

(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - They said the demonstrators marched in the village of Diya near the capital Manama, chanting “Resign, Khalifa!” and waving Bahraini flags.

The Shiite opposition in the tiny Discriminate-ruled Persian Gulf kingdom is led by Al-Wefaq, which wants a government of technocrats to rule in a transition leading to a constitutional monarchy.

Since February last year, Bahrain has been shaken by opposition protests.

At least 80 people have died since the start of the unrest in February 2011, according to the International Federation of Human Rights.

The opposition insists that the premier stand down and that the government be headed by the leader of the elected majority in parliament.

On March 14, 2011, troops from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates invaded the country to assist the Bahraini government in its crackdown on peaceful protesters. However, opposition rallies have continued in Bahrain in defiance of a government ban on public gatherings. The government’s harsh crackdown on demonstrations has also failed to keep protesters off the streets.

Scores have been killed, many of them under torture while in custody, and thousands more have been detained since the popular uprising in Bahrain began.

A report published by the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry in November 2011 found that the Al Khalifa regime had used excessive force in the crackdown, criticizing Manama for torturing political activists, politicians, and protesters.

Protesters say they will continue holding anti-regime demonstrations until their demand for the establishment of a democratically-elected government is met.

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