WITH the tearing down of the GGC roundabout pearl monument on Friday, Bahrain has buried the sign of hatred and polarization forever, according to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa.
“This not a message to any particular group or party but Bahrain wants to forget the bitter past and move forward as one nation,” Shaikh Khalid explained while responding to a question from the New York Times reporter whether the tearing down of the monument was a message to the opposition.
The GCC roundabout was liberated by the Bahrain Security Forces from protestors who had camped in for more than four weeks.
The authorities are also clearing up the areas adjacent to the roundabout where the protesters had created tent city and virtually put the day to day life at halt.
Health officials also raised concerns over the pollution in the area caused by improper means of sanitation.
With the demolishing of the GCC roundabout mixed feelings were expressed by the citizens and residents. Some said that they were sad with the removal of this beautiful monument, while some praised this move from the government saying that it would always remind them of the ‘dark days of Bahrain’.
“Out of the government’s keenness to optimise services and improve the infrastructure, work to facelift the GCC Roundabout and boost flow of traffic in this vital area of the capital has started on Friday,” said an official statement.
The footage of knocking down the monument was also transmitted by Bahrain TV.