The opposition is still unsure of whether they will even join in negotiations with the government after days of bloody battles that left a number of anti-government protesters dead in Bahrain. The government, however, says it has already begun what it is calling a national dialogue with opposition groups. The dialogue comes after the military and government police allowed protesters to regain control of Pearl Square in the capital Manama, which has been at the center of the demonstrations and where police attacked defenseless protesters over the past week, killing at least one dozen. On orders from the crown prince, troops and armored vehicles earlier withdrew from the square, which they had taken by force through a night-time attack on a sit-in by protesters, killing four people and wounding more than 200. Crowds in Pearl Square soon returned swelled into the tens of thousands, celebrating a triumph for the mostly Shi'ite protesters. Tents that had been removed two days earlier by the army have returned and makeshift medical stations have been established to help treat any wounded. Hundreds of the protesters remained in the square over Saturday night, telling Bikya Masr via telephone that they would not back down and that the government “would leave.” One protester, Waleed, told Bikya Masr that “we are here just like our Tunisian and Egyptian friends before. We will not leave until the government changes.” Meanwhile, opposition leaders were still deciding whether they would enter into dialogue with the government. A leader of the main Shiite political bloc, Abdul-Jalil Khalil, said the opposition is considering the monarchy's offer for dialogue, but he noted that no direct talks were yet under way in contrast to government allegations. Opposition groups are calling for a general strike to increase pressure on the government. United States President Barack Obama chimed into the discussion on Bahrain – home to the Navy's 5th fleet – saying in a statement that Bahrain must respect the “universal rights” of its people and embrace “meaningful reform.” BM
