Riyadh: Saudi Arabia urged the Bahraini opposition to heed government calls for dialogue, pledging on Sunday to stand by its neighbour after protesters re-occupied Manama's central Pearl Square.
"Saudi Arabia is carefully following the developments... and calls upon brothers in Bahrain to be reasonable in proposing their ideas, and accept what was offered by the government," state news agency SPA said quoting an unnamed official.
The Shiite-led opposition has demanded a "real consitutional monarchy" and the resignation of the government, led by King Hamad Bin Eisa's uncle Shaikh Khalifa Bin Salman Al Khalifa, who has been prime minister since 1971..
Saudi Arabia also voiced its "absolute rejection of any foreign meddling in the internal affairs of Bahrain." .
"The people of Bahrain and its government are keener on the security and stability of their country," SPA said.
Saudi Arabia "stands with all its capabilities behind the state of Bahrain and its brotherly people," it said.
Bahraini Crown Prince Shaikh Salman Bin Hamad Al Khalifa has offered to open a sweeping national dialogue with the opposition, after a deadly police raid on Pearl Square on Thursday, which was followed by army deployment in the streets of Manama.
Protesters flocked to the square again on Saturday after the army was ordered to return to base.
Bahrain is the base of the US Fifth Fleet and National Security Adviser Tom Donilon spoke with the crown prince on Saturday urging him to respect human rights and launch "meaningful" reform, The White House said.
