Iran Dimisses Bahraini FM’s Accusations as Baseless

(FNA)- Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Marziyeh Afkham categorically rejected the accusations leveled by Bahraini Foreign Minister Khalid bin Ahmad bin Muhammad Al Khalifa against Iran, and called on the tiny Persian Gulf island state to pay heed to the civil demands of its own nation, instead.

Afkham's remarks came after the Bahrain foreign minister accused Iran of training Bahraini opposition forces.

The accusation that Iran has interfered in Bahrain's internal affairs and trained opposition forces is "baseless", Afkham said on Sunday.

She recommended the Bahraini officials to "pay serious attention to the civil demands of their own people instead of lodging baseless accusations to project the blame (for their country's unrest) on others".

Afkham also said that the Bahraini officials should take confidence building measures to pave the way for serious dialogue with their nation instead of adopting security, policing and tribal approaches.

Since mid-February 2011, thousands of pro-democracy protesters have held numerous demonstrations in the streets of Bahrain, calling on the Al Khalifa royal family to relinquish power.

According to local sources, scores of people have been killed and hundreds arrested.

Physicians for Human Rights says doctors and nurses have been detained, tortured, or disappeared because they have "evidence of atrocities committed by the authorities, security forces, and riot police" in the crackdown on anti-government protesters.