Five societies taking part in the National Consensus Dialogue refused to endorse a document condemning ongoing street violence in Bahrain, our sister newspaper, the Gulf Daily News reported.

The opposition groups would not approve a statement denouncing the violence - despite thugs attacking police with Molotov cocktails and other weapons, planting improvised explosive devices , cutting down street lights, attacking mobile phone masts and blocking roads with debris.

A coalition of mostly Sunni Islamist groups taking part in talks had submitted an anti-violence declaration for all parties to approve, but opposition groups would not put their names to it.

This is despite two groups that make up the alliance refusing to attend yesterday's talks due to concerns about an escalation of street violence by radicals.

"The alliance submitted a statement to renounce violence and no consensus was reached," said dialogue spokesman Isa Abdulrahman. "It was agreed by participants that this issue will be dealt with outside the dialogue process."

However, the impasse is not expected to derail the talks, which are due to resume at the Al Areen Resort and Spa on Sunday.

"We are moving in the right direction and there is positive optimism among the political societies," Abdulrahman said.

Shura Council member Dalal Al Zayed accused opposition representatives of "following orders" by refusing to endorse the statement. – TradeArabia News Service