BAHRAIN: Clinton says U.S. supports ‘real, meaningful’ change

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The United States supports ‘real, meaningful’ change for the people of Bahrain and is urging the government to show restraint ahead of possible new tensions on Friday, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Thursday, according to Reuters.

Calling Bahrain ‘a friend and ally,’ Clinton said she had told her Bahraini counterpart ‘how important it was that, given that there will be both funerals and prayers tomorrow, that they not be marred by violence,’ Reuters reported.

‘We urge a return to a process that will result in real, meaningful changes for the people there,’ Clinton told reporters.

Clinton also said the U.S. will provide Egypt with an additional $150 million after the ouster of longtime President Hosni Mubarak last week, ‘to put ourselves in a position to support the transition there and assist with their economic recovery,’ Reuters reported.

Clinton said that amid turmoil in the region, President Obama spoke with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas Thursday to discuss the Middle East peace process ‘and the broader regional context.’

‘Our goal is absolutely the same as it always has been: two states living side by side,’ Clinton told reporters.

-- Molly Hennessy-Fiske