WASHINGTON, June 5 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Barack Obama on Wednesday voiced support for Bahrain's stability and security, but also urged the Gulf kingdom to make meaningful reform to cope with ongoing anti-government protests.
Dropping by a meeting between his deputy national security advisor Tony Blinken and Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, Bahrain's crown prince and first deputy prime minister, Obama reaffirmed the importance of U.S.-Bahrain partnership and emphasized American support for the kingdom's stability and security, the White House said in a statement.
Obama also stressed that "meaningful reform, dialogue and respect for universal human rights is the best path to achieving the peace and security that all Bahraini citizens deserve," the statement said.
Bahrain has been plagued by waves of protests, sabotage and attacks on police since February 2011, as the majority Shiites are unhappy with the Sunni royal family's slowness in promoting reforms.
Obama voiced "firm support" for Bahrain's national dialogue launched by King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa, saying his administration will continue to encourage all sides to "engage constructively" to achieve progress.
The U.S. Navy has it Fifth Fleet based in Bahrain.
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