US resuming arms supply to Bahrain

“We have made the decision to release additional items to Bahrain mindful of the fact that there are a number of serious unresolved human rights issues that the government of Bahrain needs to address,” US State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland announced in a statement issued on Friday, Press TV reported.

Most of these shipments were frozen last year in response to the kingdom’s crackdown on protesters, but the US will now proceed with deliveries of certain weaponry, such as Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM), ammunition, upgraded F-16 jet engines, harbor boats, and a frigate.

The decision to resume weapons deliveries was announced following a visit to the US by Bahraini Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, who met with US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton in Washington on Wednesday.

The meeting came a day after the ruling Al Khalifa regime threatened to intensify the crackdown on anti-government protesters.

Meanwhile, addressing hundreds of Bahrainis attending Friday prayers in the northwestern village of Diraz, senior Bahraini cleric Sheikh Isa Qassim condemned the regime’s brutal crackdown on demonstrations and called for an immediate cessation of aggression. He said that the continued use of force against protesters cannot end the legitimate calls for change.

Following the sermon, Bahraini protestors took to the streets, calling for the release of political prisoners and an end to violence against Bahrainis. In response, the Saudi-backed security forces fired tear gas and grenades at protesters.

Scores of Bahrainis have been killed and hundreds more have been arrested since the beginning of anti-regime protests in mid-February 2011.

Anti-regime demonstrators hold King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa responsible for the death of civilians during the popular uprising.