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Shiite cleric: Gulf ignores Bahrain's reform cries - Yahoo! News

Shiite cleric: Gulf ignores Bahrain's reform cries - Yahoo! News

MANAMA, Bahrain – A senior Shiite cleric in Bahrain says Sunni Gulf leaders are showing double standards by supporting Arab uprisings elsewhere while aiding Bahrain's crackdown on its pro-reform protests.

Sheik Isa Qassim says Shiite-led calls for greater rights in Bahrain are being ignored by Gulf neighbors that have backed other revolts, such as those in Syria and Libya.

Qassim's Friday sermon did not cite specific countries, but Saudi Arabia leads a Gulf military force supporting Bahrain's Sunni rulers. Last week, Saudi Arabia strongly denounced Syrian President Bashar Assad for trying to crush protesters.

Qatar, meanwhile, has led Gulf aid to Libyan rebels.

Bahrain's majority Shiites began protests in February inspired by other Arab uprisings.


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