Bahrain’s Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa (centre) speaks to the media after the qualifying session for the Bahrain F1 Grand Prix at the Sakhir Circuit, south of Manama, yesterday.
DUBAI: Bahrain’s crown prince admitted yesterday that there were “issues” affecting the kingdom on the eve of a Formula One Grand Prix that has been dogged by sometimes bloody clashes between police and democracy activists.
But Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, who has long been regarded as a moderate voice within the state’s Sunni minority regime, said he was “optimistic” a settlement could be reached with the Shia-led opposition.
“I’m optimistic that a solution will be found here,” the prince told reporters at the desert Sakhir circuit, south of capital Manama, as qualification for today’s race passed off without incident.
Hundreds took to the streets in Shia villages outside Manama overnight, prompting clashes with police, but away from the circuit, witnesses said. “Your race is a crime,” chanted protesters armed with petrol bombs and stones. “No, no to blood Formula.”
Police responded with tear gas and stun grenades. Prince Salman acknowledged that demonstrators protesting against the race had largely refrained from violence. “I think they were largely peaceful — people expressing their rights to disagree,” Salman said.
“That’s the kind of thing that we want to support but what we don’t want to support are the violent extremists and very little distinction has been made between the two.”
Police were out in force early yesterday, with several armoured vehicles deployed around the capital’s Pearl Square. Journalists heading to the Sakhir circuit for yesterday’s practice said the area had completely cordoned off by cement blocks.
Security forces have been on high alert during days of protests to prevent clashes from marring the race, with checkpoints at major intersections, especially on roads leading to the racing circuit.
Opposition supporters have campaigned for the race to be cancelled, calling it a “crime”. But Prince Salman denied that the event was being exploited to boost the image and economy of the state.
“We’ve never used this race to say that everything’s fine,” Prince Salman said. “We recognise there are issues in the country but they are to be solved in a political process which is well underway.”
World motorsport’s governing body the FIA and promoters Formula One Management said today’s race would take place despite the demonstrations. “The Federation Internationale de l’Automobile and Formula One Management wish to jointly confirm their belief that the Bahrain GP should go ahead this weekend, following assurances from the local promoter and the authorities that security, their responsibility, will be guaranteed for all participants,” a statement read.
AFP
