Clinton welcomes the diversity of new Bahraini Shoura council

US President Bill Clinton has welcomed the formation of the Bahraini Shoura council which for the first time includes four women and several representatives of minorities.

The Gulf News Agency said on Sunday in a message conveyed by the US ambassador to Bahrain Jony Young to the ruler of Bahrain Sheikh Hamad Bin Issa al-Khaleifa that the US President described the appointment of members of various social strata in the Shoura council as a positive step to encourage democracy.

Among members of the new 40-member Bahrain's Shoura council are four women including one Christian, one Jew and one businessman of Indian origin.

Clinton voiced the US complete backing to this initiative which embodies the modern and civilized policy of the ruler of Bahrain to ensuring further prosperity to the country at all levels.