National Unity Assembly (NUA) president Dr Abdullatif Al Mahmood condemned the US interference in Bahrain's internal affairs and said that the people of Bahrain will not bend to their whims.

In a strong message that was delivered to Stephen Seche, US Embassy charge d'affaires, Al Mahmood said no single group had the right to sideline another using "democracy" as cover, according to our sister newspaper Akhbar Al Khaleej.

He expressed Bahrainis' condemnation of US interference in the country's internal affairs and repeated his pledge that the NUA would defend the country "by all means" for it to remain independent, safe and stable.

Although he said Bahraini people had nothing against the US, he added they would not tolerate any position taken by Washington against any Gulf country.

"The leadership's reform efforts are sincere," he stressed, urging everyone to take part in the National Dialogue to reach a consensus on major political, social, legal and economic issues.

"It is also an opportunity to undertake serious and vital reforms that would impact the life of Bahraini citizens and allow everyone to take part in the national decision-making process."

He added the NUA was in agreement with the majority of participants in the dialogue, but didn't rule out differences on some crucial points.-TradeArabia News Service