Bahrain is to seek court approval to dissolve the main Shia opposition group Wefaq and a second opposition group, the state news agency said today.
"The Ministry of Justice and Islamic Affairs announced it is raising legal action to dissolve the Islamic Action party and Wefaq group," a statement on the Bahrain News Agency said.
"This is because of major violations of the constitution and laws of the kingdom, undertaking activities that harmed social peace, national unity, and inciting disrespect for constitutional institutions."
Last month, Bahrain's Sunni rulers crushed weeks of protests led mainly by Shias, spreading security forces throughout the capital and calling in troops from Sunni-led Gulf neighbours Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
The uprising unnerved Sunni-ruled Gulf states that feared the democracy movement could spread further if it was successful in Bahrain. Gulf rulers accused non-Arab Shia power Iran of interfering in Bahrain, where Shias form the majority.
King Hamad bin Isa was in Riyadh last night for talks with Saudi Crown Prince Sultan that discussed improving ties between the two countries, BNA said.
Saudi Arabia, linked to the island state by a causeway, is seen as a financial lifeline for Bahrain. The king was at Riyadh airport to welcome back King Abdullah after his treatment abroad for illness in February, when analysts say Gulf pressure on Manama was strong to end the protest movement.
The government has launched a security crackdown in recent weeks, arresting hundreds of Shias and firing Shia workers from state companies.
It had not previously targeted Wefaq, which has called for a constitutional monarchy but did not join other groups who chose a more confrontational approach during the protests in calling for the overthrow of the ruling Khalifa family.
Wefaq mobilised more than 100,000 protesters during peaceful marches when the government still allowed gatherings.
It won 18 seats in Bahrain's 40-seat elected parliament last year, while complaining of gerrymandered electoral districts to prevent Shia candidates demanding democratic reform from taking a majority. It resigned its seats in parliament in protest over the government crackdown.
Parliament has little power and the cabinet, appointed by the king, has been headed by the same member of the ruling family for four decades.