The parliament bloc’s statement, carried by the state-run Bahrain News Agency, asked for a three-month declaration of martial law and claimed “extremist movements” were trying to disrupt the country and push it toward sectarian conflict. The appeal also seeks a curfew and the dispatch of army units around the country.
An adviser to the royal court, meanwhile, said from neighboring Gulf Arab countries have arrived to help maintain law and order on the strategic island kingdom.
“Forces from the Gulf Cooperation Council have arrived in Bahrain to maintain order and security,” Nabeel Al-Hamer, a former information minister, said on his Twitter feed late on Sunday.
Bahrain has asked for help from neighboring Gulf Arab countries after protesters overwhelmed police and cut off roads, and an adviser to the royal court has said the forces were already on the strategic island kingdom.
Gulf Daily News, a newspaper close to Bahrain’s powerful prime minister, reported on Monday that forces from the GCC, a six-member regional bloc, would protect strategic facilities.
There was no immediate response from Bahrain’s monarch, but authorities have expressed increasing frustration that opposition groups have not accepted offers to open dialogue aimed at easing the crisis.
Shiites, who account for 70 percent of the population, have long complained of systematic discrimination by the Sunni dynasty that has ruled for more than two centuries.
The grievances include allegations of being blackballed from key government and security posts. They also strongly object to government policies that give citizenship and jobs to Sunnis from other Arab countries and South Asia as a way to offset the Shiites’ demographic edge.
The main opposition groups have called for the Sunni rulers to give up most of their powers to the elected parliament. But, as violence has deepened, many protesters now say they want to topple the entire royal family.
The parliament appeal comes a day after protesters blocked main highways to Bahrain’s financial district and battles erupted on the campus of the main university, which has suspended classes indefinitely.
US Defense Secretary Robert Gates visited Bahrain on Saturday and urged leaders to quickly move on reforms. On the same day, Bahrain’s Interior Ministry said the sectarian strife was threatening the “social fabric” of the nation.
It was not immediately clear whether Bahrain’s depleted parliament would hold a session to discuss the appeal. The 40-seat chamber is left with only pro-government lawmakers after 18 opposition members resigned to protest violence against demonstrators.
The statement urged King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa to take action “at this critical moment after the opposition parties refused all calls to restore calm and defuse tensions and engage in a multiparty national dialogue.” On Sunday, Bahrain’s Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa suggested authorities could consider harsher measures.
He said the nation has “witnessed tragic events” during a month of unprecedented political unrest. But he warned, “the right to security and safety is above all else.” “Any legitimate claims must not be made at the expense of security and stability,” Salman said in a televised speech.
The British and US governments issued notices urging their citizens in Bahrain to remain at home or try to avoid protest areas when traveling.
“Spontaneous demonstrations and violence are expected throughout the next several days,” said the US advisory.
MANAMA, March 14 : Bahrain has asked for help from neighboring Gulf Arab countries after protesters overwhelmed police and cut off roads, and an adviser to the royal court has said the forces were already on the strategic island kingdom.
“Forces from the Gulf Cooperation Council have arrived in Bahrain to maintain order and security,” Nabeel Al-Hamer, a former information minister and adviser to the royal court, said on his Twitter feed late on Sunday.
Gulf Daily News, a newspaper close to Bahrain’s powerful prime minister, reported on Monday that forces from the GCC, a six-member regional bloc, would protect strategic facilities.
“GCC forces will arrive in Bahrain today to take part in maintaining law and order,” said.
“Their mission will be limited to protecting vital facilities, such as oil, electricity and water installations, and financial and banking facilities.”
The reports come after Bahraini police clashed on Sunday with mostly Shiite demonstrators in one of the most violent confrontations since troops killed seven protesters last month.
After trying to push back demonstrators for several hours, police backed away and youths built barricades across the highway to the main financial district of the Gulf banking hub.
Those barricades were still up on Monday morning, with activists checking cars at the entrance to the Pearl roundabout, focal point of weeks of protest. On the other side of the same highway, police set up a roadblock preventing any cars moving from the airport toward the financial harbor.
Police were out in force in some areas but there was no evidence of military troops, Bahraini or otherwise, in Manama.
