Bahrain bans protest gatherings amid escalating clashes October 30, 2012 - 11:46 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Bahrain says it is banning all protest gatherings amid escalating clashes in the strategic Gulf kingdom that hosts the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet, The Associated Press reports. The decision re-imposes state of emergency-style rules in the Sunni-ruled nation, whose Shiite majority launched an uprising over 20 months ago, aiming to win a greater political voice. The announcement by the Interior Ministry did not specify what actions could be taken against fresh protests, but suggests Shiite political groups could be held responsible with possible arrests or formal closures of their offices. Bahrain's monarchy has permitted limited protests and marches, but much of the violence occurs outside authorized gatherings. Emergency rules including curfews and special military tribunals had been enacted for several months during the early stages of the uprising, which has left over 50 dead. Partner news  Top stories U.S. officials say they want to advance efforts to start talks between the Syrian government and opposition leaders. The international conference, backed by Russia and the U.S., aims to find a political solution to the conflict in Syria. Nuland, a career foreign service officer who was until recently State's top spokesperson, was expected to be nominated the post. Alkhatib said Assad should respond within 20 days and that he should then be given a month to dissolve parliament.   Partner news |  Latest news OSCE MG Co-Chairs to ‘explore ideas’ for Karabakh settlement  The Co-Chairs will meet with Foreign Ministers to explore mutually-acceptable approaches to resolving the conflict.Fresno Armenians to commemorate veterans, Genocide victims The services also remember deceased members of the Armenian community in the area, as well as those who died in the Genocide.Van Rompuy: youth unemployment pressing issue for EU Social unrest is rumbling and research has warned of "lost generations" of unemployed people and their children.Archbishop hails rule of law in Armenian armed forces Vrtanes Abrahamyan: army is a big institution and shortcomings are inevitable there. We need to think of ways to educate our children. |
