Bahrain king hails military crackdown

Bahrain's military tanks in a street in Manam (file photo)

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/165781.html

Bahrain's king has praised the military for its nighttime crackdown on pro-democracy protesters in the country's capital, Manama.

King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa paid a visit to the Defense Force General Command on Thursday and discussed the raid as well as his government's ongoing strategy with Commander-in-Chief Marshal Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa and top-ranking defense officials.

He later addressed troops and praised them for their “bravery and readiness to assume their national duties.”

In a statement issued from the military base, the king said the government has widened the scope for peaceful and legal freedom of expression.

Within hours of the king's departure from the base, around 60 to 70 tanks and armored personnel carriers descended on Manama. Check-points were being erected around the city, secured by barbed wire and troops were seen circulating in the streets and at public places.

At least seven protesters have died over the four days of clashes in the country.

In a single pre-dawn assault on Thursday by riot police on protesters sleeping in the Pearl Square, in Manama, four people were killed, 231 wounded and 60 others were missing, according to opposition figures.

The attack has been strongly condemned by members of the international community, including the United Nations.