Parliament blockaded Protesters gather outside state broadcasterMANAMA: Anti-government protesters blockaded Bahrain's parliament and massed outside the state broadcaster Monday in efforts to escalate pressure on the nation's embattled monarchy after two weeks of nonstop marches and deadly clashes. The demonstrations appear part of a strategy to hold rallies at sensitive locations in the capital Manama while maintaining a round-the-clock protest base in a landmark square in the tiny Gulf kingdom. The parliament became a target to coincide with a meeting called by the 40-member upper chamber, which is appointed by Bahrain's ruler. The session was delayed by several hours when protesters formed a human chain around the entrance. From parliament, the marchers then moved to the state TV headquarters, chanting slogans that claim the reports on the unrest seek to widen rifts between the Shiite-led protesters and the Sunni dynasty that has ruled Bahrain for more than two centuries. Shiites, who account for about 70 percent of the country's 525,000 people, have long complained of discrimination and other abuses by the Sunni rulers. The uprising in Bahrain was the first in the Gulf from the reform grounds well across the Arab world. But clashes have since spread to Oman and opposition groups in Saudi Arabia have brought rare challenges to the near-absolute power of the nation's king. Bahrain's rulers have sought talks with opposition groups to ease the tensions. However, they are under pressure from Gulf allies not to offer too many political concessions. Many Sunnis across the region fear that conceding significant power to Bahrain's Shiites could open the door for greater influence by Shiite powerhouse Iran. Meanwhile, President Barack Obama extended US support Sunday for a “national dialogue” in Bahrain, and said it should be “inclusive, non-sectarian and responsive” to the people of the Gulf kingdom. Obama's statement came a day after King Hamad Bin Issa Al-Khalifa reshuffled his cabinet and allowed the return to the country of an exiled opposition leader after 13 days of protests. As protests continued Sunday in Bahrain, Obama welcomed the king's changes and reaffirmation of his commitment to reform. “The United States supports the national dialogue initiative led by Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, and encourages a process that is meaningful, inclusive, non-sectarian, and responsive to the people of Bahrain,” he said. Washington has sought to walk a fine line between supporting its strategic ally and backing the democratic aspirations of Bahrainis, who were inspired by uprisings and regime changes in Tunisia and Egypt. “The dialogue,” Obama continued, “offers an opportunity for meaningful reform and for all Bahrainis to forge a more just future together.
