MANAMA // Protests continued for a third day in Bahrain as demonstrators thronged the streets of the capital demanding political reforms.
Thousands took part in the funeral of Fadel Salman Matrouk, a demonstrator killed on Tuesday in clashes with police. They converged on Pearl Square in Manama city centre, where crowds had begun gathering the night before demanding more jobs, better housing and the freeing of political prisoners, as well as an end to what they said is discrimination against Shiites.
"We're not afraid of anyone, and we're not leaving until they meet our demands," said Ali al Ameer, 20. A bandage covered a wound on his right hand, inflicted, he said, by birdshot fired by police during protests the previous day.
Security forces kept their distance, as police helicopters flew overhead, seeking to avoid any further confrontation with the demonstrators.
Bahrain's foreign ministry said those suspected of blame for the deaths of two protesters killed on Monday and Tuesday had been arrested, "steps which make clear that the Kingdom of Bahrain does not condone the use of excessive force at any time".
Foreign minister Khaled bin Ahmed al Khalifa noted in a statement issued by the ministry "that the protests could happen in any free, democratic country".
Meanwhile Sheikh Khalid bin Ali al Khalifa, Bahrain's justice minister, told reporters at a press conference that the government is prepared to discuss changes to the constitution, but only if the debate is held in parliament.
"If you want any changes, it should be done within a constitutional process," the minister said.
In a telephone conversation with King Hamad, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed, President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, expressed his wishes for "continued security and stability for Bahrain and more progress and prosperity for its people," WAM, the state news agency, reported.
At Pearl Square, protesters collected donations, set up a media centre and first-aid tent, and generally prepared for a long protest.
"We don't want the protesters to leave, whatever they need is available here," said Abu Ammar, 52, who helped distribute sandwiches and fruit juices for lunch.
While many political agendas were evident in the square, they all shared a common focus on reform and an end to discrimination. Protesters also demanded the release of political prisoners.
From a makeshift stage, Sheikh Ali Salman, the leader of Bahrain's largest opposition party, the Al Wefaq National Islamic Society, called for a constitutional monarchy with an elected prime minister.
"We are not looking for a religious government like Iran's, but we demand a civil government" that represents Shiites and Sunnis, he told reporters at a news conference.
Al Wefaq, which has 18 seats in the 40-member parliament, announced it is boycotting the chamber to protest the violence against demonstrators.
"There are different targets, but all in one direction," said Mustafa Abdullah, a 29-year-old engineer. Nuha Hassan, a 37-year-old office manager, added: "I want the best for my three kids."
Social networking websites were abuzz with calls to press ahead with the protests along with insults from presumed government backers dismissing the demonstrators as traitors and agents of Iran.
In a rare speech broadcast on state television on Tuesday evening, Bahrain's king apologised for the deaths on Monday and Tuesday and promised an investigation.
"With regret, there were two deaths among our dear sons," he said, adding that, "reform is a continuous process that will not stop".
In a speech on Tuesday, the US president Barack Obama urged its country's friends in the Middle East to heed the demands of protesters. "We have sent a strong message to our allies in the region saying let's look at Egypt's example, as opposed to Iran's example," Mr Obama said.
[ jcalderwood@thenational.ae ]
ROUTE TO TITLE
Round 1: Beat Leolia Jeanjean 6-1, 6-2
Round 2: Beat Naomi Osaka 7-6, 1-6, 7-5
Round 3: Beat Marie Bouzkova 6-4, 6-2
Round 4: Beat Anastasia Potapova 6-0, 6-0
Quarter-final: Beat Marketa Vondrousova 6-0, 6-2
Semi-final: Beat Coco Gauff 6-2, 6-4
Final: Beat Jasmine Paolini 6-2, 6-2
Company profile
Name: Fruitful Day
Founders: Marie-Christine Luijckx, Lyla Dalal AlRawi, Lindsey Fournie
Based: Dubai, UAE
Founded: 2015
Number of employees: 30
Sector: F&B
Funding so far: Dh3 million
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Pakistan v New Zealand Test series
Pakistan: Sarfraz (c), Hafeez, Imam, Azhar, Sohail, Shafiq, Azam, Saad, Yasir, Asif, Abbas, Hassan, Afridi, Ashraf, Hamza
New Zealand: Williamson (c), Blundell, Boult, De Grandhomme, Henry, Latham, Nicholls, Ajaz, Raval, Sodhi, Somerville, Southee, Taylor, Wagner
Umpires: Bruce Oxerford (AUS) and Ian Gould (ENG); TV umpire: Paul Reiffel (AUS); Match referee: David Boon (AUS)
Tickets and schedule: Entry is free for all spectators. Gates open at 9am. Play commences at 10am
CABINET OF CURIOSITIES EPISODE 1: LOT 36
Director: Guillermo del Toro
Stars: Tim Blake Nelson, Sebastian Roche, Elpidia Carrillo
Rating: 4/5
Country-size land deals
US interest in purchasing territory is not as outlandish as it sounds. Here's a look at some big land transactions between nations:
Louisiana Purchase
If Donald Trump is one who aims to broker "a deal of the century", then this was the "deal of the 19th Century". In 1803, the US nearly doubled in size when it bought 2,140,000 square kilometres from France for $15 million.
Florida Purchase Treaty
The US courted Spain for Florida for years. Spain eventually realised its burden in holding on to the territory and in 1819 effectively ceded it to America in a wider border treaty.
Alaska purchase
America's spending spree continued in 1867 when it acquired 1,518,800 km2 of Alaskan land from Russia for $7.2m. Critics panned the government for buying "useless land".
The Philippines
At the end of the Spanish-American War, a provision in the 1898 Treaty of Paris saw Spain surrender the Philippines for a payment of $20 million.
US Virgin Islands
It's not like a US president has never reached a deal with Denmark before. In 1917 the US purchased the Danish West Indies for $25m and renamed them the US Virgin Islands.
Gwadar
The most recent sovereign land purchase was in 1958 when Pakistan bought the southwestern port of Gwadar from Oman for 5.5bn Pakistan rupees.
1971: The Year The Music Changed Everything
Director: Asif Kapadia
4/5
The Way It Was: My Life with Frank Sinatra by Eliot Weisman and Jennifer Valoppi
Hachette Books
MATCH INFO
Newcastle United 2 (Willems 25', Shelvey 88')
Manchester City 2 (Sterling 22', De Bruyne 82')
TWISTERS
Director:+Lee+Isaac+Chung
Starring:+Glen+Powell,+Daisy+Edgar-Jones,+Anthony+Ramos
Rating:+2.5/5
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Xpanceo
Started: 2018
Founders: Roman Axelrod, Valentyn Volkov
Based: Dubai, UAE
Industry: Smart contact lenses, augmented/virtual reality
Funding: $40 million
Investor: Opportunity Venture (Asia)
What is the FNC?
The Federal National Council is one of five federal authorities established by the UAE constitution. It held its first session on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after Federation.
It has 40 members, eight of whom are women. The members represent the UAE population through each of the emirates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have eight members each, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah six, and Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain have four.
They bring Emirati issues to the council for debate and put those concerns to ministers summoned for questioning.
The FNC’s main functions include passing, amending or rejecting federal draft laws, discussing international treaties and agreements, and offering recommendations on general subjects raised during sessions.
Federal draft laws must first pass through the FNC for recommendations when members can amend the laws to suit the needs of citizens. The draft laws are then forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration and approval.
Since 2006, half of the members have been elected by UAE citizens to serve four-year terms and the other half are appointed by the Ruler’s Courts of the seven emirates.
In the 2015 elections, 78 of the 252 candidates were women. Women also represented 48 per cent of all voters and 67 per cent of the voters were under the age of 40.
