Bahraini forces surround US Embassy

Bahraini women protest in front of the US Embassy in Manama on March 7, 2011.

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/191402.html

Saudi-backed Bahraini forces have massed around the US Embassy in the capital to prevent a scheduled protest sit-in outside the US diplomatic compound.

Bahrain's February 14 Movement has called for a mass sit-in in front of the US Embassy on Friday to condemn Washington's interference in the country's internal affairs.

Witnesses say, so far, only a number of women have been sighted heading to the site of the embassy and there were no reports of gathering there.

Opposition groups and anti-government activists accuse Washington of supporting the ruling Al Khalifa regime and turning a blind eye to atrocities committed by Bahraini authorities against peaceful protesters.

Meanwhile, tens of thousands of anti-government demonstrators took to the streets outside the capital to condemn the results of a National Dialogue, saying it had failed to address people's demands and bring real democratic reforms in the country.

The rally has been organized by the largest opposition group al-Wefaq, which pulled out of regime-led national reform talks in protest.

The leaders of al-Wefaq say they pulled out of the talks after their views and demands were ignored and because the talks were dominated by pro-government representatives.

On Thursday, Bahrain's King Hamad announced that he had approved parliamentary reforms submitted by a state-appointed body called the National Dialogue. But Bahraini opposition slammed the recommendations, saying they do not represent its demands or the will of the people.

"The government thought the results were great. We thought they were nothing. There's no fully elected government, no reforms to the voting system, it's a one-sided deal," Reuters news agency quoted al-Wefaq leader Sayed al-Mousawi as saying.

Al-Wefaq has repeatedly called for an "elected government," an "elected parliament with full legislative powers," and a "fair and independent judicial system" in the kingdom.