Obama praises Bahrain's king for cabinet overhaul

[February 28, 2011]  WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Barack Obama is praising the king of Bahrain for overhauling his cabinet and making a "commitment to reform."

After two weeks of anti-government protests, King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa ousted four cabinet members Saturday, including two members of the royal family.

Obama on Sunday encouraged Bahrain's leaders to lead a "meaningful, inclusive, nonsectarian and responsive" dialogue with their people.

Bahrain is home to the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet, Washington's main counterweight against Iran's widening military ambitions.

Obama said "Bahrain's stability will be enhanced by respecting the universal rights" of its people, and by launching reforms that "meet the aspirations of all Bahrainis."

[Associated Press]

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