THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: More than 1,000 Saudi Arabian troops have been deployed in Bahrain, following fresh protests over the weekend that pitted protesters from the tiny Gulf monarchy's Shia majority against riot police.
Local residents say they saw Saudi troops driving across the causeway that links the two countries early on Monday.
There was no official comment on the presence of the troops, but a Saudi official said "the force will work under the directions of the Bahraini government and protect vital facilities like oil and power."
The opposition Wefaq movement, however, described the presence of the troops as "an undeclared war" and "a blatant occupation."
Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Bahrain's crown prince offered opposition groups a dialogue on Sunday, but added that "right to security and stability transcends any other consideration." Prince Salman's offer came after protesters after barricaded a road leading into its financial district on Sunday, a working day in the Kingdom, sparking off a two-hour street battle with police.
The clashes were the worst since February 17, when seven protesters were shot dead by police The protests broke out soon after Robert Gates, the US defence secretary, met Bahrain's king to persuade him to undertake reforms Washington believes are necessary to prevent Iran from capitalising on the arrest. » | Diplomatic Editor | Monday, March 14, 2011
Related »
