Third Bahraini Shia Martyred in Protest against Government Discrimination

15 February, 2011 14:37

Third Bahraini Shia Martyred in Protest against Government Discrimination

Clashes between opposition protesters and security forces here spilled into Tuesday, with the government confirming a second death in skirmishes that have flared since late Sunday.

Bahraini security forces on Tuesday shot dead a Shiite protester outside a hospital in Manama where the body of a demonstrator killed Â earlier was being kept, a member of the opposition said.

“Fadel Salman Matrouk was shot by hollow-point bullet in front of Suleimaneya hospital where people had gathered for the funeral of the first martyr,” Khalil al-Marzooq, a Shiite opposition MP, said by telephone.

Msheyman Ali, who was injured when Bahraini police dispersed crowds of anti-government protesters on Monday in a village east of Manama, died of his wounds in the hospital, officials said earlier.

Bahrain Shia Opposition Bloc Suspends its Membership in Parliament

Bahrain’s Shi’ite opposition bloc Wefaq suspended its membership in parliament on Tuesday after two Shi’ite villagers were killed in clashes with police, a parliamentarian from the bloc said.

“This is the first step. We want to see dialogue,” said Ibrahim Mattar, a Wefaq parliamentarian. “In the coming days, we are either going to resign from the council or continue.”

In a Phone Talk, Bahrain King Pathetically Requests Help from Egyptian Military Chief

Bahraini King Hamad Bin Isa al-Khalifa has telephoned the head of Egyptâ€™s ruling military council, Field Marshal Mohammed Hussein Tantawi, a day after 14 people were injured in clashes between police and protesters in Bahrain.

The king pathetically demanded help and support from Egyptian Military Chief and hoped Egypt would restore its leading role in the Arab and Muslim world.

Hamad had earlier proposed to hold an Arab meeting to discuss the future of the Middle East.

Tantawi, the head of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces that will run Egypt for six months, is also the defence minister.

At least 14 people were injured in clashes between police and protesters Monday, which the opposition called the â€œDay of Wrathâ€.

Skirmishes broke out between heavily armed police and groups of young people.

Protesters called for a â€œDay of Rageâ€, inspired by anti-government uprisings in Egypt and Tunisia.

â€œWe are only asking for political reforms, right of political participation, respect for human rights and stropping of systematic discrimination against Shias,â€ said Nabeel Rajab of the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights.

Bahrain, the smallest state in the Gulf region, is home to the US Navyâ€™s 5th Fleet.