Bahrain Minister Says Gulf Troops to Stay as Counter to Iran

By Vivian Salama and Camilla Hall - Apr 19, 2011

Troops from Persian Gulf nations will remain in Bahrain as a counter to Iran, the Bahraini foreign minister, Sheikh Khalid Bin Ahmed Al-Khalifa, said in a posting on Twitter.

Bahrain declared a three-month state of emergency on March 15 after troops from Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states arrived to help quell protests led by majority Shiite Muslims, who are calling for more democracy and civil rights.

“They are there for a mission protecting our vital institutions against foreign threat,” Sheikh Khalid told reporters yesterday in Dubai when asked about how long the Gulf troops would stay. “I cannot give you a timetable but indefinite is not in the picture now.”

Some groups have escalated their demands since protests began two months ago to include the overthrow of the Sunni Muslim rulers, the Al-Khalifa family, and the creation of a republic.

“The situation is developing positively, that may not require an extension,” the minister said yesterday when asked whether a state of emergency would continue. The law stands for three months before an extension is needed.

The minister also said yesterday that he has sent a letter to United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon regarding Iran’s involvement in the country’s unrest. Iran is ruled by Shiite Muslims.

Source: Bloomberg.
Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-04-19/bahrain-minister-says-gulf-troops-to-stay-as-counter-to-iran-1-.html.