Bahrain is holding key by-elections on September 24 to fill 18 parliamentary seats left vacant when deputies from the main opposition Wefaq party MPs walked out of the 40-member Parliament in February protesting a government crackdown on protesters. King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa addressed the issue at the UN General Assembly in New York on September 22, saying that more than a decade ago, Bahrain had “recognised the need to proceed toward greater reform and improvement, keeping in mind the supreme interests of the people.” He spoke about the need for reforms “aimed to provide decent living conditions, security and tranquility in a society of peaceful coexistence.”
In Washington, a high-ranking Bahraini official, said: “What happened in Tunisia and Egypt is very important. If Egypt can establish a real democracy in the Arab world it will be pivotal for the region,” but he admitted, “Democracy is a beautiful term, but difficult to practise and implement.”