Bahrain Mirror (Exclusive): Associated Press (AP) said that the United States is urging the Persian Gulf kingdom of Bahrain to ensure that a prominent political opponent, Abduljalil Al-Singace, is treated properly amid reports of a hunger strike.

Washington is pressuring Bahrain to improve treatment of inmates, AP further stated.

State Department spokesman Edgar Vasquez says the US is aware of the reports about Bahraini prisoner Abdul Jalil al-Singace, who has been held since 2011.

Vasquez says the US wants Bahrain to "ensure that all prisoners have access to adequate medical care, and to investigate all reports of mistreatment of prisoners."

Washington has chided the Sunni-led government for the treatment of its Shiite majority. But it has also regularly reaffirmed the countries' strategic partnership. Bahrain hosts the US Navy's Fifth Fleet.

The Bahraini Judiciary has sentenced al-Singace to life in prison four years ago after being charged as a coup plotter.

Arabic Issue