Bahrain's king 'pleased' with society

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MANAMA, Bahrain, Dec. 17 (UPI) -- The monarchy of Bahrain is "pleased" to see its constituents embrace the spirit of national consensus and dialogue, the king said in a national address.

Arab broadcaster al-Arabiya reports that demonstrations spilled over into a second week in Manama. Last week, the government said it was reassessing its policies regarding public demonstrations in an effort to give more notice to security personnel. Demonstrations were banned earlier this year.

Bahrain King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa delivered a national address calling for unity in an effort embrace nation-building ambitions.

"We are pleased to see communication between the institutions of the civil society for the benefit of all," he was quoted by the official Bahrain News Agency as saying. "The continuity of communication and the discussion of different visions with transparency and with keenness on a national consensus without any external interference has always been a pure Bahraini feature."

Bahrain this year revoked the citizenship from dissenters said to be a threat to national security. The government was criticized for its response to anti-government demonstrations but Manama said it was committed to reforms spelled out by an international panel of inquiry.

"We commend our armed forces and the security and the National Guard forces who are always ready to provide the appropriate climate for development and progress through achieving security and stability and meeting all challenges for the sake of all people's welfare and benefit," the king said.