Manama, February 21: Bahrain’s pro-democracy protesters continue to occupy Pearl Square in the capital Manama, saying they will be there until their demands are met.
The protesters have set up a tent city in Manama’s main square, which has turned to be the epicenter for their popular uprising in an attempt to force political change in the kingdom.
Inspired by revolutions in Tunisia and Egypt, Bahraini demonstrators are calling for an end to the decades-long monarchy in the country.
The ongoing protests have prompted King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifah to appoint the Crown Prince Sheikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifah to talk to the protesters.
However, Ibrahim Mattar, a lawmaker of the main opposition bloc Al Wefaq, has rejected negotiations, saying that they wanted the crown prince to show signs of addressing their demands before any formal dialog.
The opposition also demands the release of all political prisoners.
The Bahraini government’s crackdown on protesters had left six people dead and hundreds wounded.
——–Agencies