Bahrainis start first reconciliation talks since July 2011

Bahrain's government and opposition began reconciliation talks on Sunday for the first time since July 2011 to try to end two years of political deadlock in the strategically vital Gulf Arab island kingdom.    

Home to the US Fifth Fleet, the tiny state has been hit by unrest since mass pro-democracy protests in early 2011, becoming a front line in a region-wide tussle for influence between Shi'ite Muslim Iran and Sunni Arab states such as Saudi Arabia.    

The mass disturbances were crushed but demonstrators drawn mainly from Bahrain's Shi'ite majority have continued small protests on an almost daily basis demanding the Sunni ruling family call elections and create a constitutional monarchy.    

While opposition members have expressed very cautious optimism that the talks represent a meaningful step forward, they have also voiced concerns that the agenda remains unclear.

The main opposition Wefaq movement will decide on Monday whether to continue with the dialogue based on Sunday's initial meeting, Khalil Ibrahim, a senior Wefaq official, said ahead of the talks.    

The opposition walked away from reconciliation talks in July 2011, saying they were not carried out fairly.    

Wefaq has commanded nearly half the electorate in past parliamentary votes but the government has refused to budge on opposition demands to give the elected chamber of parliament the power to form cabinets.


REUTERS