Bahrain's King Hamad pledges to press on with reforms

22.03.2012

Bahrain's King Hamad pledged on Tuesday to press on with political reforms, more than a year after quelling a Shiite-led uprising, even as the UN rights office criticised the Gulf kingdom for its ongoing suppression of dissent.

Speaking in Manama after receiving a report on progress made to implement the recommendations of an international probe into last year's crackdown on protests, the monarch said the implementation "reflects Bahrain's commitment to reform in all fields."

He also said the "doors to dialogue were, and remain, open," without, however, referring to a call by the opposition for a "serious" dialogue to end the country's political deadlock.

King Hamad, whose Sunni Muslim Al-Khalifa dynasty rules the Shiite-majority kingdom, insisted that security is a must for reform and sovereignty.

He warned that the kingdom will not tolerate foreign intervention, in an apparent reference to Iran, which Bahrain accuses of meddling in support of the Shiites.

"Security and stability are a major pillar for growth, progress and reform, and what harms the country's stability affects its sovereignty and opens the door to foreign intervention," he said.

King Hamad warned that Bahrain "will never give up" on its sovereignty.

Ironically, the king welcomed troops from Saudi Arabia and other Sunni countries in the Gulf to help crush last year's Shiite-dominated protests.