Manama, February 22: The head of an Islamic opposition party in Bahrain has reaffirmed the movement’s refusal to enter any dialogue with the government.
Bahrain’s King Hamad ibn Isa Al Khalifa has tasked the Crown Prince Sheikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa to hold talks with the opposition as a popular pro-democracy uprising in the Persian Gulf island entered its 10th day on Tuesday.
The demonstrators demand freedom and a say in the government of the 12-year-long monarch.
But Sheikh Muhammad Ali Mahfouz, who leads the Islamic Action Society, reiterated the opposition’s stance.
The parties “have agreed that if dialogue is to happen, then it should include all opposition parties in addition to other factions on the ground,” Mahfouz said in an interview with Press TV.
Such talks should include Al Wefaq, the largest opposition faction, and Haq Movement, he insisted.
He also called for the inclusion of “the popular youth movement, which are out there in Pearl Square,” referring respectively to the protesters and the epicenter for the uprising in the capital, Manama.
Masses have swarmed the square, setting up tents, holding prayers and chanting, “God is great! Victory for Islam” and “The people want the collapse of the regime.”
At least eight people have so far been killed and hundreds injured in the clashes between Bahraini security forces and the demonstrators since the protests began last week.
The protests have been motivated by the popular revolutions in Tunisia and Egypt, which toppled the decades-long autocratic rule of the countries’ Western-backed dictators.
“With our souls, with our blood, we will sacrifice for you our martyr…for you Bahrain,” shouted the demonstrators in Pearl Square.
“We will not leave this square until all of the demands of the people of Bahrain are met,” said a protester.
Mahfouz also called on the United States not to stand with the ruling leadership in Manama. He also criticized the administration of US President Barack Obama for failing to condemn the violence against protesters in Bahrain.
——–Agencies