Military to withdraw from Bahrain streets

CAIRO/MANAMA - Bahrain’s Crown Prince Sheikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa had ordered the military to withdraw from the streets of the country, the government said Saturday.

Sheikh Salman, who is also the deputy supreme commander of the Armed Forces, had “ordered the withdrawal of all military from the streets of Bahrain with immediate effect” and said that “police will continue to oversee law and order”.

King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa had asked him to lead a national dialogue with all parties earlier, but the country’s main opposition bloc said they would not hold any dialogue until “tanks are off the streets” and “the army stops shooting at peaceful protesters”.