Bahrain cancels Formula One race

Crown prince says nation must "focus on issues of national interest" as Grand Prix event is called off amid unrest. Last Modified: 21 Feb 2011 17:30 GMT Email Article Print Article Share Article Send Feedback

The F1 Grand Prix race, which brings in large numbers of visitors, was set to run in Bahrain on March 13 [File: Reuters] The season-opening Formula One race in Bahrain has been called off because of anti-government protests, officials say. Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, the crown prince of Bahrain who is the ruler's son, said on Monday that the country must "focus on immediate issues of national interest and leave the hosting of Bahrain's Formula One race to a later date". LIVE BLOG The race had been set to run in the Gulf Arab state on March 13. The event could still be rescheduled but organisers said in a statement that no decision had been taken yet. "The Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) today announced that the Kingdom of Bahrain would withdraw from hosting this year's F1 Grand Prix race so that the country can focus on its process of national dialogue," the organisers said. Bahrain's king, Sheikh Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa, has asked Salman  to conduct a dialogue with all parties. "At the present time the country's entire attention is focused on building a new national dialogue for Bahrain," Salman said. "Although [F1 supremo] Bernie Ecclestone had graciously made clear that a decision on the race was entirely Bahrain's to make and was not yet required, we felt it was important for the country to focus on immediate issues of national interest and leave the hosting of Bahrain's Formula One race to a later date." Ecclestone said in the statement that Formula One looked forward to returning soon. "It is sad that Bahrain has had to withdraw from the race, we wish the whole nation well as they begin to heal their country," he said. Protesters continue to occupy the Pearl Roundabout, a landmark junction in the heart of the capital, Manama. Demonstrations began with calls to weaken the Sunni monarchy's power and address claims of discrimination against the country's Shia Muslim majority. They have now escalated their demands to calling for an end to the Al-Khalifa dynasty. At least seven people have been killed since the protests began on February 14.

Bahrain doles out money to families

Latest appeasement comes as activists call for protests to demand political, social and economic reforms.

Last Modified: 12 Feb 2011 06:34 GMT

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Egypt Effect: Activists have called for protests to demand political, social and economic reforms [Reuters]

Ahead of protests planned to take place in Bahrain next week, the nation's king has said he will give 1,000 dinars ($2,650) to each Bahraini family.
Friday's announcement on state media came as the latest step that Sunni rulers have taken to appease the majority Shia public.
Activists have called for protests in Bahrain, starting from Monday, to demand political, social and economic reforms. The demonstrations will coincide with the tenth anniversary of Bahrain's constitution.
Although most analysts do not see any immediate risk of revolt after popular uprisings toppled the leaders of Tunisia and Egypt, the small island nation is considered the most vulnerable to unrest among Gulf Arab countries.
The Bahraini government has made several concessions in recent weeks, such as higher social spending and offering to release some minors arrested during a security crackdown against some Shi'ite groups last August.
'Sign of appreciation'
The Bahraini News Agency (BNA) reported that the financial concessions were to mark the anniversary of a national charter for reforms.
"On the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the National Action Charter and as a sign of appreciation for the people of Bahrain who have approved it, King Hamad bin Issa al-Khalifa has ordered 1,000 dinars to be paid to every Bahraini family," Friday's report on BNA said.
Bahrain is one of the few Arab countries where the majority practices Shia Islam.
Tensions between the ruling family and the Shia majority population are usually at a low boil, although there were some clashes ahead of election last October.
It is not yet clear how widespread next week's protests will be, but analysts and diplomats say the Shia opposition group Wefaq will be waiting to see how many concessions the government is prepared to make.
Although Bahrain has a parliamentary system, many Shias feel elections have only served to co-opt them into the political system and did not improve their access to government jobs and services.