OPPOSITION groups have shown “encouraging” signs that they will do everything in their power to help end Bahrain’s political stalemate, said a top government official yesterday.

A fresh round of National Dialogue talks will start on Sunday, confirmed Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Ali Al Khalifa.

“From what I can say based on my meetings with political societies, I am optimistic and the messages from these societies are encouraging,” he said during a Press conference at the ministry’s headquarters in Diplomatic Area.

Shaikh Khalid made the comments following a meeting with members from the Coalition of Opposition Groups, headed by Al Wefaq National Islamic Society and the National Alliance of Political Societies, led by the National Unity Assembly (NUA).

“The political societies understand the call for the dialogue and have shown significant desire to be part of the process,” he said.

“They have clearly agreed on certain principles such as rejection of all forms of violence.

“The aim here is to pave the way for dialogue and ensure its success.”

Shaikh Khalid said Bahrain’s “open door” policy to continue dialogue showed the government’s seriousness in ending the political stalemate.

“We face a situation where consensus building is necessary,” he said.

“To solve differences we have a dialogue, which in this case is an internal affair, without any foreign intervention.”

Shaikh Khalid said now was the right time for Bahrain to pick up from the first round of National Dialogue in July 2011.

He explained the four key participants included the government, legislative authority, members from coalition and members from the alliance representing its political societies.

“We will participate in all the discussions meant to reach a common ground that is vital for all parties,” said Shaikh Khalid.

Six members of the coalition and eight from the alliance will participate in the talks on Sunday.

The coalition of opposition groups headed by Al Wefaq include the National Democratic Action Society (Wa’ad), National Democratic Gathering Society, National Democratic Assemblage, Democratic Progressive Tribune and Al Ekha National Society.

The alliance headed by NUA include National Action Charter Society (Al Meethaq), Al Asala Islamic Society, Al Menbar Islamic Society, Al Saff Islamic Society, Al Shurra Islamic Society, National Dialogue Society, Al Wast Al Arabi Islamic Democratic Society and Constitutional Gathering.

“There is no exclusion, but we cannot stop anyone from excluding themselves from the talks,” said Shaikh Khalid, referring to the decision by the National Justice Movement (Al Adala) to distance themselves from the talks.

He concluded recommendations finalised during the talks will be implemented by legislation or constitutional amendments.
“The ceiling for the talks is consensus,” he said.
sandy@gdn.com.bh