50,000 Bahraini in a rally for opposition: toward a constitutional monarchy

The Bahraini political opposition societies yesterday declared themselves as a force greater" than the parliament which will be elected tomorrow in the framework of the "reform project" carried out by the King of Bahrain, Sheikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.

The speakers held in the opposition rally described the new development saying "we practice our right without pressure, and without violating security and stability," as stated in the speech on behalf of the Democratic National Labor Society, read by Abdul Rahman al-Numeimi.

The rally was held in a newly built quarters to the east of the capital Manama, and what is remarkable is that the area inhabit the Americans positioned in Bahrain, near a base for the American fifth fleet.

The American embassy in Manama issued a statement calling on its citizens not to leave their houses during the festival.

The festival which was attended by more than 55,000 persons was organized just 24 hours before opening the ballot centers.

Among the main slogans the festival advocated were that the opposition's recognition of the importance of the elections as a first step on the road to "democracy" and its recognition of a constitutional monarchy system in which Al-Khalifa family rule." Observers expect that this position by the Bahraini opposition will enhance the position of the King in the face of the "old guards."