Bahrain cleric: Talks must come with guarantees

[February 25, 2011]  MANAMA, Bahrain (AP) -- A senior Bahraini cleric says anti-government protesters will engage in dialogue with the government only if talks lead to clear results that achieve the demands of the people.

In a sermon at a Shiite village mosque in the an anti-government hotbed of Diraz, imam Isa Qassim called for talks that are "clear, comprehensive and productive." He says demonstrators want guarantees on what would be accomplished by the talks.

Bahrain's rulers have offered to talk with opposition groups to try to defuse the showdown, but protesters have been slow to answer the call.

Demonstrators are planning marches later Friday to Manama's central Pearl Square that has been the center of protests.

[Associated Press]

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