Bahrain's government is prepared to hold more talks with the opposition on political reforms to try to end protests that threaten to hold up the economy, a government official said on Thursday.

Shaikh Abdul Aziz bin Mubarak Al Khalifa, a senior adviser at the Information Affairs Authority, also said Bahrain had begun receiving some of the $10 billion in economic aid promised by fellow Gulf nations.

"Everything is open for discussion except regime change. That doesn't mean it has to be discussed today (but) the King said reforms are not going to stop," he said.

"Other issues can be brought to the table -- when and how, I'm not sure."

Bahrain says it will expand parliament's powers of monitoring government ministers, recommendations that came from a national dialogue.

Shaikh Abdul Aziz said the economy was being hit by the strife but praised Wefaq for calling for restraint. "There is no doubt we have been affected and we have to get over that," he said, adding the GCC had begun disbursing funds promised to Bahrain and Oman earlier this year. - Reuters