Manama: Talks between the Bahraini government and opposition are set to begin. King Hamad Bin Issa Al Khalifa has said all options are on the table for the meeting, which will be attended by al-Wifaq, the main Shia opposition bloc. The discussions follow months of anti-government protests in which more than 30 people were killed. Hundreds of opposition supporters remain in prison.
On Wednesday, the king announced an investigation into the handling of the unrest by the security forces.
Most of the Saudi troops who were sent to Bahrain to support the government as it imposed emergency law are also being withdrawn.
Bahrain’s majority Shia community has long complained of discrimination.
Inspired by the popular uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt earlier this year, thousands took to the streets to demand fairer political representation.
In February, security forces opened fired on demonstrations at Pearl Roundabout in the capital, Manama. Then in March, King Hamad called in troops from neighbouring Sunni Gulf states to crush the protesters.
On Friday Wifaq, whose members of parliament resigned in protest at the crackdown, accepted the king’s invitation of national dialogue to allow the country to “write a new chapter in our history”.
“We will go to the dialogue, but if the dialogue does not deliver what the people need, we will withdraw,” Wifaq leader Sheikh Ali Salman said.
Spokesman Khalil al-Marzouq added: “We need to ensure this dialogue quickly offers real political situations to create stability. Otherwise the situation will explode again.”
Government spokesman Issa Abdul Rahman said it was an opportunity for reform and easing Sunni and Shia divisions that threaten the country.
“This is about bringing together all elements of Bahraini society to heal this nation so that it can move forward to a brighter future,” he told the media.
