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Opposition hails Bahrain Crown Prince's call for talks

Manama, December 9, 2012

Bahrain opposition groups have welcomed Bahrain Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa's calls for dialogue to break a deadlock in the Gulf state, said a report.

Prince Salman told a conference on Middle East security in Manama on Friday that real progress can only come through face-to-face negotiations. Leading opposition groups said they were willing to take part, said the Reuters report.

"This will give the dialogue the popular and democratic momentum it needs to succeed," opposition groups including the main Wefaq and leftist party Waad said in a statement in English on Wefaq's website.

In his speech on Friday, Crown Prince Salman urged all political figures to condemn street violence but also said the government needed to push harder to reduce inequality.

King Hamad last year called for talks "without preconditions", but that initiative quickly stalled when Wefaq pulled out, saying its views were not being taken seriously.

The authorities have banned protests, saying they often lead to confrontations that block the streets, and revoked the nationality of 31 activists.-Reuters




Tags: Bahrain | violence | Crown prince | opposition |

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