Bahrain King's Pledge On Day Of Grand Prix

Bahrain's king has declared himself committed to reform amid tight security for the Formula One Grand Prix which is going ahead today.

King Hamad bin Isa al Khalifa, who is due to attend the controversial race, said in a statement that he wanted "to make clear my personal commitment to reform and reconciliation in our great country".

He insisted that substantial progress had already been made, adding: "The door is always open for sincere dialogue amongst all our people."

His statement came a day after claims surfaced that anti-government protester Salah Habib Abbas, 37, was killed by shotgun pellets fired by secruity forces on a rooftop. Read More