Bahrain Mirror (Exclusive): The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) stated that the British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond discussed human rights issues with his Bahraini counterpart, Khalid bin Ahmad Al Khalifa, at a meeting held recently.

Tobias Ellwood said that the FCO continues "to encourage the Government of Bahrain to make progress with an open and inclusive national dialogue. It continues to monitor the cases of Ali Salman and Ebrahim Sharif as well as actions taken against other opposition activists."

"The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Mr. Hammond raised human rights with his Bahraini counterpart, Sheikh Khalid Bin Ahmad Al Khalifa at their last meeting on 13 October. We also continue to raise these cases with the Government of Bahrain, at all levels, and call for them to ensure due process is followed," Ellwood added.

A British Member of Parliament had asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs about the steps his department is taking to encourage the government of Bahrain to hold talks with the opposition in Bahrain on human rights in that country; and what representations he has received on the arrest and trials of Ali Salman and Ebrahim Sharif.

Arabic Issue