Iran urges UN chief to support anti-government demonstrators in Bahrain

[News_Editor]

Iran urges UN chief to support anti-government demonstrators in Bahrain

2011-03-16 03:11:28 GMT+7 (ICT)

TEHRAN (BNO NEWS) -- Iran on Tuesday urged the United Nations to support anti-government protesters in Bahrain as foreign troops are deployed, Press TV reported.

In a telephone conversation with the United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, the Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi expressed concern over the presence of Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) troops. Salehi urged the UN chief to support the legitimate demands of anti-government protesters in line with the international commitments of the United Nations.

Ban said he would continue his efforts to enforce reforms in Bahrain's constitution.

Earlier on Tuesday, Bahrain's Foreign Ministry Undersecretary for Regional and GCC Affairs Hamad Al Amer accused Iran of intervening in the country's domestic affairs for criticizing the arrival of Saudi troops.

"Bahrain strongly denounces and absolutely rejects the Iranian statement which is considered an intervention in its domestic affairs and a threat to regional and international peace and security," Al Amer stressed, as cited by Bahrain News Agency.

Saudi Arabia confirmed on Monday that more than 1,000 troops, part of the GCC Peninsula Shield Force, had entered Bahrain at the request of the Manama government.

On Tuesday, Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa declared a three-month state of emergency in the Persian Gulf kingdom.

This is not the first time Iran expresses concern over protests crackdown. Iran condemned the government crackdown on protesters in places like Libya and Egypt, despite the fact that the country's regime also brutally silenced Iranian protesters.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-03-16

[Steely Dan]

Iran shows it's usual hypocrisy by condemning Bahrain for supressing anti-government protesters after brutally putting down internal protests following their last rigged election. There is an interesting showdown coming, between Shiite Iran and Sunni Saudi Arabia, the Iranians have been attempting with some success to increase their sphere of influence and the U.S have been so passive recently that Iran looks more likely than ever to achieve nuclear capability. This worries the Saudis as much as it does Israel and for the first time Saudi Arabia has acted to protect it's own back yard.

[chuckd]

Iran shows it's usual hypocrisy by condemning Bahrain for supressing anti-government protesters after brutally putting down internal protests following their last rigged election. There is an interesting showdown coming, between Shiite Iran and Sunni Saudi Arabia, the Iranians have been attempting with some success to increase their sphere of influence and the U.S have been so passive recently that Iran looks more likely than ever to achieve nuclear capability. This worries the Saudis as much as it does Israel and for the first time Saudi Arabia has acted to protect it's own back yard.

Don't worry about the US. Obama is doing what he does best...playing golf and selecting winners in the NCAA basketball tournament.

I don't think Iran will get too adventurous in Bahrain, other than sending in some small arms and agitators to spin up the crowds and local Shiites. The 5th Fleet is still a fairly potent deterrent force. Hopefully the Saudi Land Forces can handle something small.