Manama: Bahrain's Crown Prince Salman Bin Hamad Al Khalifa yesterday expressed hope for a national solution to the crisis that has hit the country, saying that Bahrainis have consistently succeeded in reaching national accords.
Bahrain and all the civil society organisations that believe in the country as a stable and prosperous nation can together achieve the solution that Bahrainis aspire to have and which will guarantee welfare and a bright future for all segments of the society, he said as he received the British ambassador in Manama, Bahrain News Agency (BNA) reported.
The crown prince, who called for a national dialogue three days into the crisis last year but received no response from the opposition, said that all parties keen on their nation should be a responsible part of the solution. The lack of response eventually led to confrontations and to the imposition of emergency laws in mid-March.
The laws were lifted in June and King Hamad Bin Eisa Al Khalifa called for a national dialogue that issued close to 300 recommendations.
Support from friendly countries will contribute to achieving the much sought-after solution, the crown prince said.
He insisted that extremism and fanaticism have never been part of Bahrain's culture and traditions, and urged all parties to shun them regardless of their forms and to consolidate accords and respect for others.
Meanwhile, Bahrain's Court of Appeals yesterday postponed the trial of 20 medical staff to February 27 to hear witnesses and form a neutral medical panel that will look into the allegations of the defendants they had been ill-treated.
A national safety court had sentenced the medical staff to between five and 15 years in jail.
Also, the trial of five securitymen on charges of torturing two people to death and not reporting the case to the competent authorities was yesterday postponed to February 26.
