Bahrain opened a new round of dialogue between opposition and pro-regime groups on Sunday, aimed at solving the two-year-old political crisis.
The talks are the first in the country for 18 months and will include members of the loargest opposition group, Al Wefaq, as well as several smaller parties, Al Jazeera reported.
The government will not be directly represented, instead loyalist fronts, such as the National Unity Gathering, will promote the government’s positions.
Negotiations stalled in July 2011, when most opposition groups boycotted the talks.
Local media reported a regime spokesman saying “everything is on the table.”
The current prime minister, Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, is the longest-serving prime minister in the world, having held office since 1971.
Thursday will mark the second anniversary of the uprising against the ruling monarchy. Although the regime says it has implemented a series of reforms, reports of torture are frequent and widespread.
