Disinformation Campaign follows Incoherent rant about Iran involvement in KOB by UK Ambassador Lindsay

Iran ‘backing street violence in Bahrain’
25 March, 2013 – Robert Smith – Trade Arabia

Bahrain’s political, religious and community leaders are being urged to condemn violence on the streets, with the UK citing increasing evidence that those behind it were receiving support from Iran.

British Ambassador to Bahrain Iain Lindsay labelled those behind a spate of bombings as “terrorists” and called on all groups to denounce such acts in an exclusive interview with our sister publication, the Gulf Daily News.

He said the ongoing National Dialogue was the only way to end a political stalemate that stretches back more than two years, but added the UK was concerned about Iranian support for those engaged in acts of violence.

“The British government has said publicly that we are concerned by the fact that we see increasing evidence of Iran moving from exploiting Bahrain’s problems for propaganda purposes to providing support to people here who are bent on violence,” he said.

Lindsay declined to elaborate on the evidence or the type of support Iran was providing, but said an inquiry by the UK Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee (FAC) into Britain’s relations with Bahrain had been made aware.

“We condemn Iran’s meddling here and indeed elsewhere and we firmly believe that Bahrain will make progress if Bahrain is given a chance and Bahrainis are given a chance themselves to resolve their problems,” he said.

A National Dialogue that brings together four key factions to find solutions to Bahrain’s current problems, which date back to anti-government protests in February 2011, has been underway for more than a month.

Critics have questioned the value of the process with participants struggling to even agree an agenda for the talks, but the ambassador said they should take comfort in the fact that the process had the support of the international community.

He added it was still “early days” and the UK had a similar experience as it sought to reach an agreement on Northern Ireland.

“We know from our own experience in the UK and Northern Ireland that this sort of process can take a long time,” he said. …more