'Saudis left no way for peace in Bahrain'

Bahraini youths approach a burned out car in the western village of Dumistan, Bahrain, March 21, 2011

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/171078.html

The head of Bahrain's al-Wefaq opposition party says Saudi Arabia's invasion has put an end to any chance for a "political solution" to end the country's current conflict.

"A political solution will not come with an attack. Before Saudis come to Bahrain, we tried to solve the problem with our government. But after Saudi forces came to Bahrain, things changed," Sheikh Ali Salman told Press TV in an interview on Monday.

The leader of al-Wefaq party further called on Saudi forces to leave Bahrain.

Salman criticized the detention of activists, saying it signaled that the Manama government was not seeking a solution to the crisis.

On Sunday, Bahraini opposition groups, led by al-Wefaq, rejected King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa's offer of talks, saying the government should comply with the protesters' demands.

They said they would not negotiate with the government until all the troops are pulled off the streets, the prisoners are freed and the government guarantees political reforms.

More than 13 people have been killed and about 1,000 others have been injured as Bahraini security forces, backed by over 1,000 Saudi troops and 500 United Arab Emirates police, have violently suppressed protesters.

Several human rights activists and medical staff have also been arrested for criticizing the government's abuses.