Bahrain to go on nationwide strike if government refuses to resign

Protestors in Bahrain will stage more protests and a nationwide strike if the government refuses to resign on Thursday, an opposition activist told RIA Novosti.

The King of Bahrain agreed to withdraw troops from the streets of Manama and pardon political prisoners in a move to appease protestors. But he refused to dismiss the government and amend the constitution, the demands which many opposition activists see as a vital precondition for a nationwide dialog.

"We have set Thursday as deadline for the government to resign. And if it fails to resign on that day, we would expand the protest. If they ignore the call of the people, we will have to take further actions, including a nationwide strike to begin next week," the source said.

He did not disclose other details of the statement which the opposition leaders would make on Thursday evening if the government refuses to resign.

Protestors also expect that Hassan Musheima, one of Bahrain's most influential opposition leaders and head of the unregistered Haq Movement, will return from exile in Lebanon.

Thousands of mainly Shiite protestors have been camped out on Manama and other cities since January 14, demanding more political representation in the country, which is ruled by a Sunni Muslim monarchy. On Wednesday they were joined by thousands of opposition activists released from jails.

MANAMA, February 24 (RIA Novosti)