TEHRAN – Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi has called on the Organization of the Islamic Conference to make every effort to prevent use of violence against Bahraini protesters.

During a phone conversation on Monday, OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu and Salehi discussed the ongoing developments in the Middle East, especially an excessive use of violence against Bahraini people and intervention by some foreign forces in suppressing protesters in Bahrain.
The Iranian foreign minister also urged the Bahraini government to show self-restraint toward the protesters and respond to people’s legitimate demands being voiced peacefully.
Ihsanoglu expressed deep concern about the current political situation in Bahrain and said the OIC is trying to help resolve the issue.
The Bahraini government has stepped up crackdown on anti-Khalifa-regime protesters who on Sunday staged the most disruptive demonstrations since the calls for more freedom began a month ago. The protests turned violent as riot police opened fire on the protesters.
Protests in Bahrain started on February 14 as the Bahraini opposition inspired by the recent uprisings in the Middle East and North Africa organized an anti-government rally in Manama.
The Sunni rulers have been in power for years in the strategic Persian Gulf kingdom, which is mostly populated by Shia Muslims.
The Bahraini Shias have always called for greater political voice and complained about discriminations against them.