Saudi Troops In Bahrain Are Not Acceptable To Iran

Iran called the arrival of Saudi troops in Bahrain unacceptable on Tuesday and urged the island kingdom to respond to pro-democracy demonstrators peacefully and without foreign intervention. About 1,000 Saudi soldiers entered Bahrain on Monday to protect government facilities as part of an effort by the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to help the government cope with protests by members of the Shi'ite majority. The move has alarmed Iran, the main Shi'ite power in the Gulf where most ruling families are Sunni Arabs. Analysts say Saudi Arabia's action might increase tensions with Iran, both major oil exporters to dangerous levels. "The presence of foreign forces and interference in Bahrain's internal affairs is unacceptable and will further complicate the issue," Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said at his weekly news conference.
The arrival of the Saudi forces came after mostly Shi'ite demonstrators overwhelmed Bahraini police on Sunday and blocked the highway to the main financial district in the most violent confrontations since troops killed seven protesters last month. Bahrain's Shi'ites have complained of discrimination by the Sunni royal family and intervention in Bahrain by Gulf Arab troops is highly sensitive.