Bahrain's national dialogue kicks off

English.news.cn   2011-07-06

MANAMA, July 5 (Xinhua) -- Bahrain's national dialogue, which aims to bring consensus on key issues among different spectra of the society, kicked off Tuesday with the participation of main opposition groups.

The national dialogue focused on four main themes, namely political, social, economic and human rights. Over 300 people from political societies, youth groups, human rights associations and nongovernmental organizations took part in the national initiative.

Isa Abdul Rahman, spokesman for the dialogue, said groups attending the dialogue suggested to ban political speeches in mosques and not to authorize parties based on sect to be registered.

"The groups attending the political session discussed ways to tackle sectarianism," Rahman said in a press conference.

Bahrain's largest Shiite opposition party Al Wefaq had four of its members, including a women, attending the session. Members from liberal opposition group National Democratic Action Society also took part in the dialogue.

The sessions will be held three times a week, Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday, at Isa Cultural Center in Juffair, a few km away from the U.S. navy's fifth fleet base.

Rahman said the sessions would continue until parties reach a consensus.

Bahrain has been swept by anti-government protests since February, protesters called for bringing down the county's ruling family led by King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa, a strong U.S. ally, and establishing a constitutional-based monarchy.

Editor: Mu Xuequan