"Bahrain released two former lawmakers from the Shi’ite opposition yesterday, along with several other detainees who were arrested following widespread antigovernment protests.
The lawmakers, Jawad Fairooz and Matar Matar, were arrested in May on anti-state-security charges and still face trial. They have vowed to continue pushing for a greater say in politics.
Their release appears to be aimed at diffusing tensions in the small island country, which hosts the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet. It comes after Bahrain’s king accepted a series of political reforms drawn up by a government-sanctioned national dialogue committee created to address grievances that emerged during this year’s protests.
--more--"
Also see: Bahraini Belligerence
