A Bahraini opposition figure was set to return to the Gulf Arab country today as Shia protesters filled the streets demanding the fall of the Sunni-dominated government
Hassan Mushaimaa, leader of the opposition Haq movement, said on his Facebook page on Monday that he wanted to see if the island nation's leadership was serious about dialogue or if it would arrest him. He was due to arrive tonight.
Mr Mushaimaa, who is based in London, is one of 25 people on trial since last year over an alleged coup plot but a statement by King Hamad bin Isa yesterday hinted that the trial would be shelved, allowing Mushaimaa an unhindered return.
His movement is more radical than the Shi'ite Wefaq party, from which it split in 2006 when Wefaq contested a parliamentary election. Wefaq's 17 MPs resigned last week in protest at the state's use of violence against the protesters.
State media said the king had ordered the release of convicted prisoners whose names would be released tomorrow and a stop to ongoing court cases - opposition figures said they understood this to mean the trial will be shelved.
It was not clear if this would be enough to bring opposition groups into a dialogue that King Hamad has asked his son, the crown prince, to conduct.
"His royal highness continues to call for all Bahrainis to engage in this new process (of dialogue) to move away from polarisation and ensure that sectarianism does not take root," government spokeswoman Maysun Sabkar told a news conference.
She said the crown prince had met some opposition leaders in recent days, though opposition groups say no dialogue has begun yet. Ms Sabkar said she had no information on prisoner releases.
Tens of thousands of opposition supporters marched to Pearl Square - the focal point of the week-long protests in central Manama - to press demands for political reform in a country dominated by the Sunni Muslim minority.
Led by groups such as Wefaq and Waad, it was the first organised demonstration and followed spontaneous protests by a rising youth movement relying on social media.
"We want the fall of the government" was the most common chant. "Some want the family out but most (want) only the prime minister (to quit)," said protester Abbas al-Fardan. "We want a new government, the people need to rule the country."
The protesters want a constitutional monarchy, in contrast to the current system where Bahrainis vote for a parliament that has little power and policy remains the preserve of an elite centred on the al-Khalifa family.
The al-Khalifa dynasty has ruled Bahrain for 200 years, and the family dominates a cabinet led by the king's uncle, who has been prime minister since independence in 1971.
Inspired by peaceful uprisings in Egypt and Tunisia, protesters set up camp at Pearl Square after security forces tried to break up their protest but then withdrew last week.
Seven people died and hundreds were wounded, and the violence led US secretary of state Hillary Clinton to condemn government attempts to crush the demonstrations, limiting the government's room for manoeuvre.
Reuters