DUBAI, Aug 12 (Reuters) – Bahrain has reinstated its
ambassador in Iran, the country’s foreign minister said, more
than a year after the island kingdom withdrew its envoy to
protest at Tehran’s criticism against a Gulf-backed crackdown on
Shi’ite protesters.
Bahrain, a U.S. ally which hosts the U.S. Navy’s Fifth
Fleet, has been in turmoil since pro-democracy protests led by
its Shi’ite majority erupted last year after revolts in Egypt
and Tunisia.
Bahrain asked Saudi Arabia to send forces to help it quell
the protests last year. Shi’ite power Iran condemned the move,
saying it could lead to regional instability. The United Arab
Emirates also sent police forces to Bahrain.
Bahrain recalled its ambassador from Iran in March last year
after a Bahraini foreign ministry official called the remarks
“blatant interference in Bahrain’s internal affairs”. Tehran
responded by withdrawing its ambassador in what appeared to be a
tit-for-tat move.
“The ambassador of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the Islamic
Republic of Iran has returned to his work in Tehran,” Foreign
Minister Sheikh Khalid al-Khalifa wrote on his Twitter page late
on Saturday.
Bahrain’s Shi’ites complain they have long been marginalised
in political and economic life, which the government denies. But
there has been no progress on the main opposition demand for a
parliament with full powers to legislate and form governments.
Bahrain’s Sunni rulers have rejected opposition calls for an
elected government, and protests and clashes with police
continue.
Bahrain has accused Iran of being behind the unrest, but
Tehran denied this.
Tension between Iran and U.S.-allied Gulf Arab states has
been high over Iran’s nuclear energy programme, which Gulf
rulers fear will give Tehran a nuclear weapon.
(Reporting by Rania El Gamal; Editing by Jon Hemming)
