Bahrain King Says 'Foreign Plot' Foiled
VOA News March 21, 2011
Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa says a "foreign plot" against his kingdom has been foiled.
Bahrain's state news agency quoted King Hamad Monday as saying foreign elements had been preparing the alleged plot for 20 to 30 years. He accused the plotters of hoping unrest could spread throughout the region.
He also thanked Saudi Arabia for its assistance as political unrest gripped his kingdom.
While King Hamad did not name any specific plotters, his comments come a day after Iran ordered a Bahraini diplomat out of the country in retaliation for the expulsion of an Iranian official from Bahrain last week. The Shi'ite Muslim country of Iran has called Bahrain's crackdown on Shi'ite demonstrators illogical and incomprehensible.
Bahrain has been facing a month-long protest from Shi'ite Muslims demanding reforms from the minority Sunni government. Last week, Saudi Arabia sent in security forces to help Bahrain quell the anti-government protesters.
Mass protests in Tunisia and Egypt - which toppled the countries' two leaders - helped inspire the revolt in Bahrain. The demonstrators are demanding greater political freedoms, including more power for the elected parliament and replacing the monarchy.
At least five people have been killed and a number of top opposition members arrested since police swept through Pearl Square in the capital, Manama.
Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.
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