Bahraini regime to ‘confront’ protests

Bahrainâ„¢s Prime Minister Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa warns that the Bahraini regime would Å“forcefully confront” the anti-government demonstrations that have been planned for later this week.

The Bahraini prime minister issued the warning on Monday, saying that the anti-regime protesters would be punished if they go ahead with their plans, Bahrainiâ„¢s official BNA reported.

Å“The government will forcefully confront the suspicious calls to violate law and order and those who stand behind them through decisive measures,” he said.

Å“It will punish [those] who stand behind them in line with the recommendations of the Bahrain National Council (parliament), which represents the will of the people of Bahrain,” he added.

The warning came in reaction to a plan by the opposition to hold a major demonstration on August 14, when the country will hold celebrations of independence from the UK.

On August 7, Bahraini King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa banned protests in the capital, Manama, ahead of Wednesdayâ„¢s celebrations. Bahrainâ„¢s loyalist-dominated parliament has also approved a bill banning all protests in Manama.

The uprising in Bahrain began in mid-February 2011.

The Al Khalifa regime launched a brutal crackdown on the peaceful protests and called in Saudi-led Arab forces from neighboring states.

Meanwhile, Bahrainâ„¢s main opposition group, al-Wefaq, said last week that more than 200 people, including a woman and 19 children, were detained during the regime crackdown on protesters in July.

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Republished from: Press TV