Iran Strongly Rejects Interference in Bahrain's Internal Affairs

In a statement on Sunday, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ramin Mehman-Parast rejected the recent claims raised by Bahrain's Foreign Minister on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly meeting that Tehran is interfering in the internal affairs of the tiny Persian Gulf island.

"This type of worn-out and redundant claims has no more application and are meant more to be a scapegoat to for not accounting to the people's civil demands, rather than being based on realities," he said.

"Repeating such claims will not change the realities on the ground in the region," Mehman-Parast said.

Iranian officials have always stressed Tehran's support for the efforts made by the people in Bahrain and other regional countries to defend their legitimate rights.

Reports from Manama said the Al-Khalifa regime still continue suppression of peaceful protests in the country despite the regime's claims about its intentions for resolving problems through negotiations.

Anti-government protesters have been holding peaceful demonstrations across Bahrain since mid-February 2011, calling for an end to the al-Khalifa dynasty.

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 - Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Oman and Qatar - were dispatched to the tiny Persian Gulf kingdom on March 13, 2011, to help Manama crack down on peaceful protestors.

So far, tens of protesters have been killed, hundreds have gone missing and thousands of others have been injured.

Police clampdown on protesters continues daily. Authorities have tried to stop organized protests by opposition parties over the past months by refusing to license them and using tear gas on those who turn up.

The opposition coalition wants full powers for the elected parliament and a cabinet fully answerable to parliament.
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