Protesters tied to violence banned from new round of Bahrain talks

MANAMA, Bahrain, Feb. 24 (UPI) -- Participants in violence or sabotage in past anti-government protests are banned from a new round of talks aimed at resolving political unrest, officials say.

Talks that began last year were suspended in January after opposition leaders and a coalition of political groups pulled out, Gulf News reported Sunday.

"There is absolutely no dialogue with any side that backs violence or terrorism as they are not concerned with the national dialogue," government spokeswoman Sameera Bin Rajah said Sunday.

Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad al-Khalifa called for the new talks under terms acceptable to all participants, who will submit their views as to what should be included in the meetings.