Bahrain braces for in-depth talks with opposition

Bahrain's Sunni Muslim ruling family came under increased pressure to open in-depth negotiations with the Shiite-led opposition.

Manama's Pearl Square has been the focal point of demonstrations in the small but strategic Gulf kingdom since Feb. 14.

The opposition has also called a large protest for Tuesday afternoon in the hope that tens of thousands of people will converge on Pearl Square, according to the INAA, Bahrain's main Shiite opposition group.

With the focus switching to talks rather than protests, Bahrain's main trade union called off a general strike it had organized for Monday, saying its main demand for the right to demonstrate peacefully had been met.

"In the light of the army's withdrawal and respect of the right to demonstrate peacefully, the general union for labor syndicates has decided to suspend the general strike and return to work on Monday," the union said.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton urged reforms in Washington's tiny Shiite-majority Gulf ally, where the U.S. Fifth Fleet is based.

The heir to Bahrain's throne has been tasked by his father, King Hamad, with launching a wide-reaching dialogue with the opposition.

But emboldened by Arab uprisings which have toppled the strongmen of Tunisia and Egypt since last month, the opposition has raised the stakes, demanding a "real constitutional monarchy" and the government's resignation.

Prime Minister Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman, an uncle of the king, has held office since independence from Britain in 1971.

Regional heavyweight Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, voiced its "absolute rejection" of foreign meddling in Bahraini affairs, pledging to stand by its neighbor.

And Riyadh and Abu Dhabi, partnered with Manama in the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council, urged the opposition to heed government calls for talks.

Prince Salman himself acknowledged the need for reform but called for calm first. "There are clear messages from the Bahraini people... about the need for reforms," he said in a television interview.

EU foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton said it was vital that the promised dialogue "should begin without delay."

In a telephone call to the crown prince, British Foreign Secretary William Hague said he expressed "the UK's deep concern about the situation and strong disapproval of the use of live ammunition against protesters."

The unrest has also cast doubt on next month's season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix, with Formula One chief Bernie Ecclestone saying it may be moved to a later date.