27 February 2011
Last updated at 21:37 ET
US President Barack Obama has expressed his support for the King of Bahrain’s affirmed commitment to reform.
Mr Obama welcomed a cabinet reshuffle by King Hamad bin Issa al-Khalifa in which four ministers, including two royal family members, were replaced.
The move followed two weeks of Shia protests against the Sunni-led regime.
President Obama said he supported a national dialogue initiative led by Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad al-Khalifa in Bahrain.
He urged that the process should be inclusive, non-sectarian and responsive to the people of the Gulf Kingdom.
Mid-East unrest: Bahrain
- King Hamad, 61, has been in power since 1999
- Population 800,000; land area 717 sq km, or 100 times smaller than Irish Republic
- A population with a median age of 30.4 years, and a literacy rate of 91%
- Youth unemployment at 19.6%
- Gross national income per head: $25,420 (World Bank 2009)
Manama protests
“I welcome the announcement by King Hamad bin Issa al-Khalifa about making important changes to the cabinet and restating his commitment to reform,” said Mr Obama in a statement.
Thousands of demonstrators remain camped out on Pearl Square in the capital, Manama, as protests move into a 15th day.
They have called for a genuinely democratic elected parliament and the sacking of Prime Minister Sheikh Khalifa ibn Salman al-Khalifa after 40 years in power.
Shia account for about 70% of the country’s 525,000 people.
Bahrain – home to the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet – is the first Gulf country to be thrown into turmoil by the wave of unrest sweeping the Arab world.
On Friday, the Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen visited Bahrain and described the country as a critical long-time ally.
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Obama backs Bahrain reform