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Bahrain king in UK to meet British PM David Cameron Bahrain opposition seeks talks as king arrives in UK
(about 2 hours later)
The king of Bahrain is visiting the UK for talks with Prime Minister David Cameron, in an effort to improve relations following the Arab Spring. The leader of Bahrain's main opposition party has told the BBC he is willing to sit down with the country's king to discuss "serious political reform".
King Hamad Al-Khalifa's visit is the first since deadly clashes erupted in Bahrain earlier this year between security forces and protesters. It comes as King Hamad Al-Khalifa arrived at Downing Street for talks with UK Prime Minister David Cameron.
The visit comes after deadly clashes erupted in Bahrain earlier this year between security forces and protesters.
Sheikh Ali Salman, leader of the al-Wefaq party, told the BBC's Frank Gardner he wanted to keep the monarchy.
He said that, unlike many in the opposition, he did not want an end to the ruling Al-Khalifa family, just a constitutional monarchy and democracy.
A report last month found Bahraini police guilty of using excessive force, including torture, against protesters.A report last month found Bahraini police guilty of using excessive force, including torture, against protesters.
The UK criticised the crackdown, but says it wants to help Bahrain reform.The UK criticised the crackdown, but says it wants to help Bahrain reform.
'Strained''Strained'
The BBC's security correspondent Frank Gardner says this is not a visit that either government wanted publicised.The BBC's security correspondent Frank Gardner says this is not a visit that either government wanted publicised.
Bahrain's response to anti-government demonstrations sparked international condemnation. At least 40 people died in the unrest.Bahrain's response to anti-government demonstrations sparked international condemnation. At least 40 people died in the unrest.
But since the report came out, King Hamad has appeared to have acted quickly on its recommendations, our correspondent says.But since the report came out, King Hamad has appeared to have acted quickly on its recommendations, our correspondent says.
He sacked the hardline head of national security and set up a human rights watchdog.He sacked the hardline head of national security and set up a human rights watchdog.
Now he is looking to his old ally Britain for advice, support and investment, our correspondent adds.Now he is looking to his old ally Britain for advice, support and investment, our correspondent adds.
Ties between the UK and Bahrain have been strained, with the previous British ambassador denied access to ministers for being openly critical of Bahrain's treatment of protesters and for being seen as too close to the mainly Shia opposition.Ties between the UK and Bahrain have been strained, with the previous British ambassador denied access to ministers for being openly critical of Bahrain's treatment of protesters and for being seen as too close to the mainly Shia opposition.
A Foreign Office official said Britain was now keen to help Bahrain on the path to democratic reform.A Foreign Office official said Britain was now keen to help Bahrain on the path to democratic reform.
On Friday, Bahraini riot police fired tear gas at protests in an attempt to stem fresh demonstrations to the east of the capital, Manama.On Friday, Bahraini riot police fired tear gas at protests in an attempt to stem fresh demonstrations to the east of the capital, Manama.
They were attempting to march from the village of Musalla to the Pearl Square roundabout, the focus of the protests earlier this year.They were attempting to march from the village of Musalla to the Pearl Square roundabout, the focus of the protests earlier this year.
The Gulf kingdom's Shia majority has been demanding action to tackle economic hardship, the lack of political freedom and employment discrimination in favour of the ruling Sunni minority.The Gulf kingdom's Shia majority has been demanding action to tackle economic hardship, the lack of political freedom and employment discrimination in favour of the ruling Sunni minority.
Are you in Bahrain? Are you a Bahraini living in the UK? What do you think of King Hamad Al-Khalifa's visit? Will it make any difference to the situation in the country? Send us your comments and experiences.Are you in Bahrain? Are you a Bahraini living in the UK? What do you think of King Hamad Al-Khalifa's visit? Will it make any difference to the situation in the country? Send us your comments and experiences.