Bahrain justifies presence of foreign troops on its soil
\nAFP\/ Hamad I Mohammed
\n16:38 01\/06\/2011<\/p>\n
The presence of foreign troops in Bahrain is justified by existing “external threats” rather than by the need to suppress a wave of anti-government protests in the country, Bahraini Foreign Minister Sheikh Khaled bin Ahmed al Khalifa said on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
Iranian Shiites recently condemned the 1,500-strong Gulf Arab force in Bahrain as an “occupation” by Sunni states against Bahrain’s Shiite majority.<\/p>\n
“Bahrain is still facing external threats on the regional level…and in this sense, Peninsula Shield forces cannot be seen as occupational,” al Khalifa said in an interview with Radio Sawa.<\/p>\n
The current political unrest in Bahrain started in February with opposition protesters demanding far-reaching democratic reforms in the mainly Shiite country which has been ruled by a Sunni Muslim dynasty for more than 200 years.<\/p>\n
Since the arrival of the Saudi-led contingent in the country and the introduction of a three- month curfew, the opposition has faced waves of arrests and deadly crackdowns. …more<\/a><\/p>\n