Special to WorldTribune.com

ABU DHABI — Bahrain has launched a crackdown on clerics who express
support for the Shi’ite revolt in the Gulf Cooperation Council kingdom.

The Cabinet said clerics who preach violence would be prosecuted. In a
statement on May 6, the Cabinet warned against political sermons or other
activities in mosques throughout Bahrain.

“There is no compromise on national security, territorial integrity,
hard-won achievements and vital interests,” the Cabinet said.

Officials said both Sunni and Shi’ite clerics have been preaching
violence from their pulpits. They said the Shi’ites have expressed support for the massive demonstrations against the Sunni regime, while Sunni preachers were urging to avenge Shi’ite attacks against Bahraini security officers.

On May 5, four police officers were injured in an explosion attributed
to Shi’ite insurgents. Officials said the Shi’ites have graduated from their use of firebombs to improvised explosive devices that could be detonated by remote control.

“The bomb was found to be a homemade device with a remote detonator,” Public Security chief Maj. Gen. Tariq Al Hassan said. “The flames and shrapnel from the explosion covered a wide area and were responsible for injuring the targeted policemen.”

The Interior Ministry has ordered an expansion of the security forces.
The ministry said it would recruit and train 500 police officers by 2013 in
an effort to increase patrols.

“Extremism is putting the lives of the innocent from both sides — the
government and opposition — in danger,” parliamentarian Ali Al Durazi said.
“But Bahrain will go further downwards in security unless real political
solutions are found and the government takes the implementation initiative.”

  Ali Al Durazi, attacks on security officers, Bahrain warns it will prosecute clerics who preach violence, Interior Ministry, Maj. Gen. Tariq Al Hassan, Shi’ite revolt, Sunni-led kingdom