UK Prime Minister Cameron calls for restraint on all sides in Bahrain

[News_Editor]

UK Prime Minister Cameron calls for restraint on all sides in Bahrain

2011-03-17 08:14:36 GMT+7 (ICT)

LONDON (BNO NEWS) -- British Prime Minister David Cameron on Wednesday called for restraint on all sides in Bahrain and personally called on the country's king to end the violent suppression of street protests in the Gulf state.

Cameron spoke by phone to King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa on Tuesday evening during which he expressed his 'serious concern' at the deteriorating situation on the ground and called for restraint on all sides. He said that it was vital that the Bahraini authorities responded through reform, not repression.

"The Prime Minister encouraged the King to pursue the political dialogue that the Government had proposed, and he called on all sides to take part in that dialogue," a spokesperson for Cameron said on Wednesday. "Bahrain must respect the right to peaceful protest and respond to the legitimate concerns of the Bahraini people. Protesters must also refrain from violence and we urge them to respond positively to the offer of national dialogue."

Meanwhile, also on Wednesday, UK Foreign Secretary William Hague spoke with Bahraini Foreign Minister H.E Shaikh Khalid Bin Ahmed Bin Mohamed Al Khalifa to express his concern about the situation. He said the country needs to return to law and order to enable genuine political reform.

"The UK remains seriously concerned about today's clashes with protesters and reports of several casualties," Hague said. "I call on all parties to engage in an open and constructive national dialogue, so that it is translated as soon as possible into tangible actions that respond to the legitimate aspirations of the Bahraini people."

At least 20 people have been killed in the Bahraini protests, which began in mid-February and call for an end to the monarchy. They have been met with a violent crackdown by security forces.

Earlier on Wednesday, the Bahrain Defence Force announced it would impose a 4 p.m. to 4 a.m. curfew for central Manama. It also said gatherings, rallies, demonstrations and sit-ins would not be allowed anywhere in the country "until the situation is back to normal."

"All citizens and residents must cooperate fully with the checkpoints for the sake of their safety. Anyone who violates these measures will face the appropriate legal action," a statement from the force said.

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