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Riyadh confirms dispatch of 1,000 troops to Bahrain

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Tehran, March 14, IRNA -- A Saudi official on Monday confirmed that his country dispatched some 1,000 troops to Bahrain as part of a plan dubbed ‘Shield Force of Peninsula’.

IRNA’s correspondents in the neighboring states confirmed the presence of the Saudi Arabian forces in Bahrain to suppress the ongoing public protests in the Arab state.

The Saudi official told reporters on condition of anonymity that the forces arrived in Bahrain early Monday.

Saudi Arabia has taken the action at a time when the Bahraini government has on several occasions called for dialogue with the opposition who advocates basic reforms in the kingdom.

Bahraini government has not yet confirmed arrival of Saudi Arabian forces in its territory.

Saudi Arabia dispatched forces to Bahrain at a time when the US Defense Secretary Robert Gates arrived in Manama two days ago, discussing regional developments with Bahraini officials.

Bahrain's opposition said the foreign troops amounted to an occupation.

The main opposition groups have called for the Sunni rulers to give up most of their powers to the elected parliament. But, violence has deepened.

The 40-seat parliament is left with only pro-government lawmakers after 18 opposition members resigned to protest violence against demonstrators.

On Sunday, Bahrain’s Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad al-Khalifa suggested authorities could consider harsher measures.

Dozens of people were injured on Sunday as protesters pushed back police and barricaded roads.

The Shia Muslim community, which account for 70 percent of the population, have long complained of systematic discrimination by the Sunni dynasty that has ruled for more than two centuries.

The grievances include allegations of being blackballed from key government and security posts. They also strongly object to government policies that give citizenship and jobs to Sunnis from other Arab countries and South Asia as a way to offset the Shia’s demographic edge.