Owners of Bahrain majlises seek recall of UK ambassador

Manama: The woes of the British ambassador to Bahrain have been compounded following new calls to have him leave the country made by 240 owners of majlises to the local authorities.

In a petition published in the Arabic press, the signatories said that they were speaking on behalf of the Bahraini street and wanted the diplomat to get transferred elsewhere for "interfering in the country's internal affairs".

"As representatives of the Bahraini street and as the loyal citizens of Bahrain whose allegiance is to God, then to HM the King, we condemn the interference of the British ambassador in our domestic affairs and demand that the authorities expel him from the country," the petition said.

"The ambassador has not respected international and diplomatic laws and traditions and has clearly abused the sovereignty of the Kingdom, the will of the people and international laws."

Under fire

Jamie Bowden last month came under fire following a meeting with members from Al Wefaq Society, the country's largest political formation, shortly after it waded into controversy for calling at its general assembly for changes in Bahrain's government system.

The call was branded as a constitutional coup and sparked uproar amid other MPs and some political societies who issued calls for the ambassador to leave Bahrain for his alleged "violation of international diplomatic and laws and interference in the country's domestic affairs."