"The US supports the national dialogue initiative led by Crown Prince, and encourages a process that is meaningful, inclusive, non-sectarian, and responsive to the people of Bahrain"

US President Barack Obama has called for a “national dialogue” between the Bahraini government and the opposition indicating that it should be “inclusive, non-sectarian and responsive” to the people as pro-democracy demonstrators continued their campaign for regime change in the Persian Gulf country.

"The United States supports the national dialogue initiative led by Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad al-Khalifa, and encourages a process that is meaningful, inclusive, non-sectarian, and responsive to the people of Bahrain," Obama said in a statement on Sunday.

According to the US president, the dialogue is an "opportunity for meaningful reform."
But the protesters, camping out near Pearl Square in the capital Manama, are demanding the removal of the monarchy system in the tiny Persian Gulf littoral state.

Facing mass pro-democracy protests during the past two week, King Hamad bin Issa al-Khalifa reshuffled his cabinet on Sunday and released political prisoners allowing an exiled opposition leader to return to Bahrain in an attempt to appease the opposition.

Carrying Bahraini flags, pro-democracy protesters on Sunday shouted anti-government slogans and called for long-serving Prime Minister Sheikh Khalifa Bin Salman Al-Khalifa to step down.

At least seven people have been martyred and hundreds wounded after pro-democracy protests started in Bahrain fourteen days ago.