German Expert Predicts 'New Intifada' In Bahrain

Berlin, Apr 22, IRNA -- Bahrain is headed towards a 'new intifada' amid mounting protests for freedom and democracy in the Arab country, said a German expert on the Persian Gulf region in an interview with the top-selling daily Bild newspaper. Michael Schmidmayer, a fellow at the Global Public Policy Institute, stressed the security crackdown by Bahraini regime's would not stop the ongoing popular rebellion which regained momentum ahead of Sunday's ritzy F1 Grand Prix car race. He pointed out the wealth of the al-Khalifa family and corruption have been a major factor in the 14-month-old unrest. Bahrain is reportedly bracing more protests to coincide with the highly controversial Formula One race as the government and organizers insisted that the event would proceed as planned. Riot police fired teargas and stun grenades in street clashes with protesters as the authorities in the Persian Gulf island state sought to project an image of stability before Sunday's race. The Bahraini capital Manama is effectively under a security lockdown, according to opposition activists./end