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UK's FCO advises Britons to 'leave Bahrain today' UK's FCO advises Britons to 'leave Bahrain today'
(about 2 hours later)
The UK Foreign Office (FCO) has urged Britons to leave Bahrain, as violence and protests continue. The UK Foreign Office is advising all Britons to leave Bahrain as soon as possible unless they have a pressing need to stay, as violence intensifies.
The government has organised two charter flights bound for Dubai to supplement commercial flights. Security forces with tanks have moved in on anti-government protesters camped in the capital Manama and at least six people have reportedly been killed.
>The FCO advised the several thousand UK nationals still estimated to be in the Gulf state to leave by 17 March unless they had a pressing reason to stay. The UK government >has organised two charter flights bound for Dubai to supplement commercial flights.
Security forces with tanks have moved in on anti-government protesters camped in a square in the capital Manama. It estimates there are several thousand UK nationals still in the Gulf state.
Foreign Secretary William Hague has spoken to his Bahraini counterpart to express "serious concern" at the situation on the ground. Foreign Secretary William Hague has spoken to his Bahraini counterpart, Shaikh Khalid Bin Ahmed Bin Mohamed Al Khalifa, to express "serious concern" at the situation.
He told the Commons on Thursday: "I call on all parties to engage in an open and constructive national dialogue, so that it is translated as soon as possible into tangible actions that respond to the legitimate aspirations of the Bahraini people."
At least three civilians were reportedly killed after police fired on mainly Shia protesters. Officials said three police also died.At least three civilians were reportedly killed after police fired on mainly Shia protesters. Officials said three police also died.
Troops have taken over a hospital treating the wounded and officials have imposed a curfew and banned protests. Troops have reportedly taken over a hospital treating the wounded and officials have imposed a curfew and banned protests.
On Tuesday, the country's Sunni rulers called in Saudi troops to keep order.On Tuesday, the country's Sunni rulers called in Saudi troops to keep order.
Bahrain's health minister, himself a Shia, has resigned in protest against the government's use of force, and the BBC's Caroline Hawley in Manama says Shia judges have resigned en masse. 'Holed up'
The UK Foreign Office said passengers on the two chartered flights due to leave Bahrain on Thursday would be charged £260 each.The UK Foreign Office said passengers on the two chartered flights due to leave Bahrain on Thursday would be charged £260 each.
It said it was unable to give timings of the flights or the number of passengers involved, but said each plane would have 160 seats available. A further repatriation flight may be arranged on Friday if there is sufficient demand, a spokesman added.
Earlier, an FCO spokeswoman said the first option for Britons wanting to fly out should be commercial services, which were operating normally. But he said the first option for Britons wanting to fly out should remain commercial services, which were operating normally.
One Briton, Mike, who is originally from Wells, in Somerset, said he had been "holed up" in an apartment in the Manama suburb of Seef for several days, and was now waiting for a commercial flight to London.
"It's actually been relatively quiet where I live, although you can hear noise off in the distance," he told the BBC.
"I've lived here for the last five years with my family. They were on holiday in the UK so I told them not to come back.
"My company has another operation in Kuwait so I have no intention of going back to Bahrain in the near future."
But another British expatriate Lee, who lives in the town of Saar with his wife and three children, said he had no plans to leave.
"We're quite happy," he told the BBC. "We'll look at the situation as it develops, but we don't feel threatened at all. The protests are not aimed at the expats.
"Bahrain is a very peaceful country that's just going through a difficult stage.
"We are quite happy with the way the current situation. You can do normal things. The shops are still open."
'Exercise caution'
The FCO said those wishing to leave but unable to get commercial tickets should register their interest for the Dubai route by calling +44 20 7008 5900.The FCO said those wishing to leave but unable to get commercial tickets should register their interest for the Dubai route by calling +44 20 7008 5900.
An embassy team had been assessing routes to the airport and issued advice on its website about which roads were safe to use, albeit "with caution".An embassy team had been assessing routes to the airport and issued advice on its website about which roads were safe to use, albeit "with caution".
'Legitimate aspirations'
It said travel on the main routes of the island, during daylight hours, was "orderly if slow in some places, because of police checkpoints".It said travel on the main routes of the island, during daylight hours, was "orderly if slow in some places, because of police checkpoints".
The advice added: "You should exercise caution in particular on any routes you use to get to these main routes and consider carefully the situation in your local vicinity before you leave."The advice added: "You should exercise caution in particular on any routes you use to get to these main routes and consider carefully the situation in your local vicinity before you leave."
Bahrain - which has a population of 800,000 and is 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. Protests there began last month.Bahrain - which has a population of 800,000 and is 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. Protests there began last month.
Prime Minister David Cameron has called on the King of Bahrain to end the violent suppression of street protests. Prime Minister David Cameron has spoken by phone to the King of Bahrain, Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa, and urged him to end the violent suppression of street protests.
He spoke by phone to King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa and called for restraint from all sides in the escalating stand-off.
Meanwhile, Mr Hague spoke to Bahraini Foreign Minister Shaikh Khalid Bin Ahmed Bin Mohamed Al Khalifa to urge restraint on all sides and to emphasise the need for a return to law and order.
Mr Hague said: "The UK remains seriously concerned about today's clashes with protesters and reports of several casualties.
"I call on all parties to engage in an open and constructive national dialogue, so that it is translated as soon as possible into tangible actions that respond to the legitimate aspirations of the Bahraini people."
Are you in Bahrain? Are you a UK national planning to leave the country? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below.Are you in Bahrain? Are you a UK national planning to leave the country? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below.