US scales back Bahrain travel warning

The United States has scaled back its travel warning for Bahrain, citing continuing security improvements in the protest-hit Gulf state.

The State Department in March urged its citizens to avoid the kingdom and warned foreigners may become the target of harassment, but said Saturday that a “semblance of normality” had returned to life in Bahrain.

“With an increased security presence on the streets, many shops and businesses have reopened,” the department said in a statement.

Yet the government also warned some US citizens have been denied permission to enter Bahrain amid increased security, and said demonstrations and ongoing military operations mean travel could become dangerous.

The State Department said US diplomats in Bahrain are back at work, after authorizing the departure of non-essential personnel in April. The embassy is open and operating normally.

The head of Bahrain’s military said Saturday that Saudi-led troops will remain in Bahrain after a state of emergency is lifted next month

US-allied Bahrain, headquarters of the US Fifth Fleet, is set on June 1 to lift martial law imposed in March after weeks of pro-democracy protests led mainly by Shi'ites calling for greater political freedoms, a constitutional monarchy and an end to sectarian discrimination.

Bahrain accuses Iran of helping instigate the protests. Neighbouring Sunni-led Gulf states sent troops to back Bahrain's forces during the crackdown, boosting regional tension.

At least 29 people, all but six of them Shi'ites, have been killed since the protests started, inspired by Arab revolts that toppled the rulers of Egypt and Tunisia.

The opposition says hundreds of people have been arrested and four died in police custody in April in Bahrain, where the Sunni king rules over a Shi'ite majority.

Four policemen also died in the unrest, including at least two who were run over by the cars of Shi'ite protesters. The six non-Shi'ites killed included the four policemen. Four activists were sentenced to death over the killing of the police.