MANAMA, Bahrain — A prominent opposition figure accused by Bahrain of plotting against the state plans to return from London, an aide said Monday.
Hassan Meshaima, head of a group known as Haq, is scheduled to arrive late today as the monarchy tries to engage demonstrators in talks aimed at easing the week-long series of clashes and marches that have deeply divided the strategic Persian Gulf nation.
A rights activist and supporter, Abbas Omran, confirmed Meshaima’s plans, but gave no further details.
Meshaima is considered by Bahrain’s officials as a potential enemy of the state. He and another London-based opposition leader are being tried in absentia among a total of 25 Shiite activists accused ofplotting to overthrow Bahrain’s Sunni rulers.
Meshaima has been in London since June, reportedly receiving treatment for cancer. His group Haq is considered more radical than the main Shiite political bloc, Al Wefaq, which has so far taken a leading role in the uprising.
Tensions are still high in Bahrain after seesaw battles that saw riot police open fire on protesters trying to reclaim landmark Pearl Square last week. At least eight people have been killed and hundreds injured in the clashes since the unrest spilling across the Arab world reached the Persian Gulf last week.
Bahrain holds particular importance to Washington as the host of the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet, which is the main U.S. military counterweight to Iranian efforts to expand its military influence into the Persian Gulf.
Elsewhere in the Arab world, Yemen’s leader on Monday rejected demands that he step down, calling demonstrations against his regime unacceptable acts of provocation and offering to begin a dialogue with protesters.
However, protests seeking President Ali Abdullah Saleh’s ouster did not let up. Tens of thousands rallied in four cities, including the capital of Sanaa. Demonstrators said they would not leave fledgling encampments in central squares until he has left office.
Saleh has been in power for 32 years.
At least 11 people have been killed since anti-government protests broke out earlier this month, including a youth shot dead Monday, medical officials said. In an attempt to defuse anger over the violence, Saleh told a news conference that he has ordered troops not to fireat anti-government protesters, except in self defense.
Also Monday, Morocco’s interior minister said five charred bodies were found in a bank in northeastern Al Hoceima set aflame by “troublemakers” on the sidelines of one of many nationwide protests pushing for more democracy in the kingdom.
Taeib Cherqaoui told reporters Monday that at least 128 people were injured - mostly security forces - in unrest linked to protests a day earlier that drew at least 37,000 demonstrators in dozens of towns and cities.
In Bahrain, hundreds of protesters spent the night in Pearl Square - which has become the country’s version of Cairo’s uprising hub Tahrir Square - and thousands of government opponents gathered at the site during the day. The mood was upbeat and many appear to be campedthere for the long haul, with makeshift kitchens serving meals to those who live in the small tent village.
Bahrain’s rulers have offered talks with opposition groups to try to defuse the showdown, but the opposition appears to be in no hurry to talk with the crown prince who has been delegated by the king to lead the dialogue.
The leaders of the official Shiite opposition said they are not refusing to talk to the crown prince but want guarantees the rulers’ words will be backed by action.
The main opposition demand is the resignation of the government that is responsible for this week’s bloodshed and has been led by the same prime minister - the king’s uncle - for 40 years.
Other demands include abolishing the monarchy’s privileges to set policies and appoint all key political posts,along with addressing longstanding claims of discrimination and abuses against Shiites, who represent about 70 percent of Bahrain’s 525,000 citizens.
However, a manifesto from a group calling itself “Youth of Feb. 14” - after the day of the first marches - apparently seeks to raise the stakes of demands.
“We demand the overthrow of the oppressive Al Khalifa regime,” the manifesto said, referring to the ruling royal family. “The people will choose the system they will be subjected to.”
It was not clear, however, how much influence the group holds the tens of thousands of protesters that range from students to retirees.
Information for this article was contributed by Brian Murphy and Amhed Al-Haj of The Associated Press.
Front Section, Pages 6 on 02/22/2011