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U.S. wants dialogue in Bahrain

A protesters gestures to Bahraini police of Manama, on March 18, 2011. Thousands of Bahrainis gathered for the funeral of the demonstrator slain hours after the king declared martial law in response to a month of escalating protests. Shiites account for 70 percent of the tiny island's half-million people but they are widely excluded from high-level posts and positions in the police and military. UPI\Isa Ebrahim
1 of 3 | A protesters gestures to Bahraini police of Manama, on March 18, 2011. Thousands of Bahrainis gathered for the funeral of the demonstrator slain hours after the king declared martial law in response to a month of escalating protests. Shiites account for 70 percent of the tiny island's half-million people but they are widely excluded from high-level posts and positions in the police and military. UPI\Isa Ebrahim | License Photo

WASHINGTON, April 19 (UPI) -- The Bahraini government and members of the opposition need to find a political solution to turmoil in the country, the U.S. State Department said.

Human Rights Watch said assailants targeted the home of Bahraini human rights advocate Nabeel Rajab early Monday with tear gas grenades.

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Human Rights Watch said authorities accused Rajab of fabricating photos showing apparent signs of torture on the body of a man who died in custody April 9. Human Rights Watch said the photos were authentic.

The minority Sunni-led government in Bahrain is facing criticism for its response to a Shiite uprising in the country.

Mark Toner, a spokesman for the U.S. State Department, said Washington was pressuring authorities to show respect for human rights as well as advance political dialogue that leads to a resolution.

Assistant Secretary of State Jeff Feltman was in the region early this week to speak with authorities in Manama.

"He also underscored the United States' belief in universal rights and emphasized the fundamental need for respect for human rights," Toner said.

Washington last week called on the government of Bahrain to encourage political pluralism after Manama outlawed the country's largest Shiite political party.

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Bahrain said Thursday it outlawed al-Wefaq, the country's largest Shiite political party, and the opposition Islamic Action Society for breaking the law during mass protests and for inciting violence.

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