Bahrain’s King Sheikh Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa called political groups to a new round of national dialogue, which was previously boycotted by the opposition, AFP reported Tuesday (January 22nd).

In a statement issued Monday evening, the Ministry of Justice and Islamic Affairs said, “At royal directives from His Excellency the King […] the Minister of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments invites the representatives of political groups and independents from Bahrain’s political community to complete the national consensus dialogue concerning politics.”

The opposition, led by Al-Wefaq National Islamic Society, welcomed the Crown Prince’s initiative, while stressing the need to hold “serious” dialogue and to refer the results of such a dialogue for referendum.