Sleiman visit to Bahrain sees opposition calls for support

President Michel Sleiman Tuesday travelled to Bahrain where representatives of the Bahraini opposition urged him to take a stance supporting reform. During his brief visit, Sleiman met with Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad al-Khalifa to discuss bilateral relations and the regional situation. Issued before the meeting, the opposition statement said that “the Bahraini people are waiting for Lebanese President Michel Sleiman to take a stance supportive of its just and humanitarian demands,” adding that “Lebanon, its government and its people are a place for freedom and civil coexistence.” Citing international condemnations of the Bahraini government activities, the statement said “it is no longer acceptable for the regime to stand against popular demands calling for the implementation of democracy, justice and full citizenship.” Pro-reform protests in Bahrain last February were crushed by the government and another series of protests escalated in the runup to the Bahraini Formula One Grand Prix. Accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister Samir Mokbel, Sleiman’s visit comes several weeks after he visited Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar to discuss the travel advisories some of these countries issued following deadly clashes in Beirut and Tripoli, north Lebanon. Each of the nations Sleiman visited had warned their nationals not to visit Lebanon, urging those who were already in the country to leave because of the recent unrest. During the meeting, the leaders also discussed the situation of Lebanese citizens in Bahrain, and the need to reactivate the work of the two countries’ diplomatic missions. Sleiman returned to Beirut after a lunch held in his honor by King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa. The Daily Star