UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon last night threw his weight behind Bahrain's national dialogue, urging all parties to "seize the moment" and come to the table for talks "to address political and constitutional reform."

He said the offer of a dialogue spearheaded by HRH Shaikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander, was an opportunity for national reconciliation - and offered UN support to make it work.

His comments are the clearest signal yet that the international community is behind the dialogue process and the stance of the Bahraini government since a wave of protests broke out almost a month ago.

"The Secretary-General has continued to follow closely the situation in Bahrain," said a statement issued on his behalf.

"He remains concerned at the apparent impasse in launching a national dialogue a few weeks after His Majesty King Hamad asked the Crown Prince to initiate such a process.

"The Secretary-General is of the view that this offer has created an opportunity for all sides to address political and constitutional reform and facilitate national reconciliation."

He urged all groups to accept the offer of talks to map out a new future for Bahrain, as some opposition factions demand pre-conditions before coming to the table - while more radical elements refuse to talk at all.

"The Secretary-General calls on all parties in Bahrain to seize the moment and engage in a broad-based, peaceful and meaningful dialogue involving the political opposition and civil society in the interest of all Bahraini people," said the statement.

"To this end, the Secretary-General reiterates the readiness of the United Nations to provide support to nationally-led efforts, if requested to do so.

"The Secretary-General also calls on all of Bahrain's regional neighbours and the wider international community to support a dialogue process and an environment conducive for credible reforms in Bahrain.-TradeArabia News Service