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Bahrain Says Foreign Plot Foiled

   Phillip Walter Wellman | Dubai  March 21, 2011
   King of Bahrain Sheikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa (file photo)

Photo: AP

   King of Bahrain Sheikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa (file photo)

   The king of Bahrain says a "foreign plot" against his country has been
   foiled with the help of Gulf Arab forces. He did not name any specific
   plotters,  but  some analysts saw his remarks as a veiled reference to
   Iran.
   King  Hamad  bin  Isa  Al  Khalifaâs  comments  on  Monday  came after
   Sunni-ruled   Bahrain   and  Shiâite-ruled  Iran  had  recalled  their
   ambassadors and each expelled a diplomat of the other country.
   Tehran has criticized the deployment of Gulf troops to Bahrain to help
   quell   anti-government   protests  by  mainly  Shiâite  Muslims,  who
   represent nearly two-thirds of the countryâs population.
   Director  of  International Relations at the Dubai-based Gulf Research
   Center,  Christian  Koch,  says  there  are  fears  Iran  is trying to
   intervene in Bahrainâs internal affairs to extend its influence in the
   region, which it has tried to do in the past.
   "At  the  moment  there  is  at least a suspicion that Iran would once
   again  try  to  take  advantage  and  establish contact with some more
   radical  opposition  groups  in  Bahrain  to  cause  a little bit more
   disturbance and therefore, Bahrain is very concerned about this," Koch
   said.
   Since  demonstrations  broke  out in mid-February, Bahraini protesters
   have largely distanced themselves from neighboring Iran.
   Most analysts like Gala Riani from IHS Global Insight say the majority
   of  demonstrators  and  opposition  groups  in Bahrain are cautions of
   Tehranâs backing.
   "If  any  of those groups openly seek out Iranian support and call for
   Iranian  support  then that would simply exacerbate matters for them,"
   said Riani.
   However,  Riani  says  a  prolonged  crackdown by Bahrain's government
   could  prompt  opposition supporters to seek outside assistance in the
   future.
   Protesters  in  the  island nation have been demanding more rights and
   political  reforms, but some hardliners have also been calling for the
   ouster of the ruling family.
   The  crisis  in  the  country  is raising worries of growing sectarian
   unrest in the region.
   On  Monday,  hundreds of Shiâite protesters in Saudi Arabia marched in
   support  of Bahrain's Shi'ites. There have been similar demonstrations
   by Shiâites in Iraq.

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