I blame Iran, says Bahrain's king
Bahrain’s king today accused Iran of being behind the Shiite uprising which has rocked the country.
While not naming Iran directly, King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa said in a thinly-veiled reference: “I here announce the failure of the fomented subversive plot against security and stability.”
The king spoke to the commander of the Sunni Saudi-led force Gulf force which moved into Bahrain last week and said its troops give strength and confidence.
Iran has condemned the presence of the Gulf force and Shiites across the Middle East have been outraged by the deadly crackdown on protests that has killed at least 13 people.
The Bahrain opposition’s main demand is for a constitutional monarchy that would keep the royal family in power but would let people elect a government.
Inspired by mass protests in Tunisia and Egypt that toppled the two countries’ presidents, it rejects accusations of influence by the Shiite powerhouse across the Persian Gulf.
“We don’t want Iranians to come. We don’t want a big problem in this small country,” senior opposition leader Ali Salman said, adding that the solution to the country’s crisis has to come from its people.
