Bahrain also announced the Friday as national mourning day for those who lost their lives during the incidents on Thursday last.
“On 17th February, it was alleged that protestors were shot at from helicopters and from high rise buildings. The Government would like to place on the record that this is categorically not true. The helicopters used by authorities were solely for surveillance,” the Government of Bahrain’s Information Affairs Authority (IAA) spokesperson Maysoon Sabkar revealed during the media briefing on Thursday.
“Reports of tanks and troops arriving in Bahrain from Saudi Arabia during the events of the past week have been traced back to initial claims made by Syrian TV. The Government can confirm that it is unfounded and not true,” she said
On Wednesday, His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa visited the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to welcome the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.
“His Majesty the King expressed his gratitude to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for their continuous support of Bahrain under the leadership of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz.”
Referring to injuries sustained by police officers during the events of last week, she said that 73 officers sustained injuries, with seven of these serious.
“Regarding the full investigation into events, this is being carried out under the authority of Deputy Prime Minister, Jawad bin Salem Al Arayadh, as ordered by HM the King on Wednesday 16th February and which has been subsequently expanded to cover all events,” she said.
“The investigation team has already met on several occasions and is receiving full co-operation from relevant Government authorities. So far information has been gathered on the events of the 13-14th February and will continue up to and including Friday 18th February. The investigations continue at pace and further updates will be made on the progress of the investigation in due course.
“With regard to update on injured, 18 individuals remain in hospital with injuries relating to events last week. Two of these are in a critical condition.
“The Ministry of Health has also compiled a report to review the emergency services responses on 17 February, which looks at several issues including the effectiveness of the response at the Salmaniya Medical Complex.
“The report points to a series of issues including how the unprecedented number of people in the hospital, both in terms of unsolicited, volunteer staff and from gathered crowds contributed to the inability of Salmaniya Medical Complex and the emergency services to respond effectively. The full report will be submitted to the investigation headed by Deputy Prime Minister Jawad bin Salem Al Arayadh,” she added.
“Over the past 48 hours, Bahrain has also received support from the Governments of France, Jordan, Russia and Turkey for the national dialogue, calling for al Bahrainis to engage in the process and encouraged a return to calm in Bahrain,” she said.
“The Government of Russia called for constructive dialogue between all parties in Bahrain and stated that demands must be discussed within a legal framework and the Jordanian Foreign Minister called upon all Bahrainis to take part in the national dialogue and condemned any foreign influence in the internal affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain.”
“The Turkish Foreign Affairs Ministry welcomed the steps made by the Government of Bahrain in calling for a national dialogue that includes all sections of society. It also called on all Bahrainis to reject violence and restore calm to society,” she added.
“The French government endorsed the approach of the Government in initiating the national dialogue and praised the steps to protect freedom of expression and peaceful protest.”
The Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) has also expressed its full support for a national dialogue based on legislation, freedom of expression and enhancing the role of Bahrainis.”