Bahraini Regime Continues Suppression of Protestors

TEHRAN (FNA)- Reports from Manama said the Al-Khalifa regime still continues suppression of peaceful protests in the tiny Persian Gulf island despite the regime's claims about its intentions for resolving problems through negotiations.
Reports said the Bahraini security forces attacked a funeral procession held for a victim of the regime's crackdown with army helicopters buzzing overhead.

The regime's confrontation turned the funeral procession into an anti-regime demonstration as participants marched toward the capital's Martyr Square, formerly known as Pearl Square.

The angry protesters were shouting slogans and calling for King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa to step down.

Bahrain's rulers and opposition leaders have started negotiations despite huge demonstrations held on Friday throughout the country demanding that the opposition reject the call for talks with the government.

The main opposition party Al-Wefaq made a last-minute decision to join the National Dialogue but has threatened to withdraw from the talks if the government ignores the people's demands.

Anti-government protesters have been holding peaceful demonstrations across Bahrain since mid-February, calling for an end to the Al Khalifa dynasty's over-40-year rule.

Violence against the defenseless people escalated after a Saudi-led conglomerate of police, security and military forces from the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council (PGCC) member states were dispatched to the tiny kingdom on March 13 to help Manama crack down on peaceful protestors.

So far, tens of people have been killed, hundreds have gone missing and about 1,000 others have been injured.