Bahrain opposition wants real constitutional monarchy

Shiite opposition leader Sheikh Ali Salman on Wednesday called for measures to establish a real constitutional monarchy in Bahrain with the prime minister elected rather than appointed by the king.

The Islamic National Accord Association head said his MPs would boycott parliament until demands are met to transform Bahrain "into a constitutional monarchy where the people would be the main source of power."

"The government should be elected by the people who would have the right to hold it accountable," he told a press conference, as angry demonstrators occupied a Manama square for a second day demanding regime change.

The United States said early Wednesday it was "very concerned" by recent violence in protests in Bahrain and urged all sides to exercise restraint.

"The United States is very concerned by recent violence surrounding protests in Bahrain," State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley said in a statement. "We also call on all parties to exercise restraint and refrain from violence."

The spokesman said Washington had received confirmation that two protesters in Bahrain, home to the U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet, had been killed and urged Bahrain to quickly follow up on its pledge to investigate.

"Deep condolences"

Earlier, King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa, addressed the nation expressing sorrow for the deaths and announcing a ministerial investigation.

"In light of the incidents that took place yesterday and today... There have been sadly two deaths. I express my deep condolences to their families," the Bahraini monarch said, in a televised address.

"Everyone should know that I have assigned Deputy Prime Minister Jawad al-Orayedh to form a special committee to find out the reasons that led to such regrettable events," he added.

He said he would continue the reform process that saw the restoration in 2002 of the parliament dissolved in 1975. The Shiite opposition has long complained that the elected chamber's legislative authority is shared with an appointed upper house.

"Reform is going ahead. It will not stop," the king said.

"The United States welcomes the government of Bahrain's statements that it will investigate these deaths, and that it will take legal action against any unjustified use of force by Bahraini security forces," Crowley said.

Shiite protesters prepared to camp out in Bahrain's capital on Tuesday evening after a day of protests in which a man was shot dead in clashes with police at a funeral for a demonstrator shot the day before.

Protesters, inspired by popular revolts that toppled rulers in Tunisia and Egypt, said their main demand was the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman al-Khalifa, who has governed the Gulf Arab state since its independence in 1971.

The demonstrators from Bahrain's Shiite majority say the ruling Sunni minority shuts them out of housing, healthcare and government jobs.

Cyber activists outraged by the killing of the two protesters had called for the Manama demonstration on Facebook.

The banners and slogans of the Bahraini protesters echoed those of the demonstrators in Cairo's Tahrir Square whose 18 straight days of protest triggered the dramatic stepping down on Friday of Hosni Mubarak's 30-year rule.

Some protesters erected a tent, saying their sit-in would continue until their demands were met.

The interior ministry said it had opened an inquiry into whether police resorted to "unjustified use of arms."