Opposition ready to talk to Bahrain's rulers

By Middle East correspondent Anne Barker

Posted 2 hours 21 minutes ago

Opposition groups who have staged mass protests in the Gulf state of Bahrain say they are ready to negotiate with the country's rulers about political reforms.

Anti-government groups in the majority Shiite Muslim nation have staged weeks of protests against Bahrain's Sunni rulers, demanding political reform and an end to discrimination against Shiites.
The ruling family has repeatedly offered to hold talks with opposition leaders but so far the protesters have been unwilling to compromise.
Now, senior leaders have accepted an invitation to talks with Bahrain's crown prince, Salman bin Hamad al Khalifa.
Among the opposition groups' demands is for the current government to be replaced, democratic elections, and an end to corruption.
No date has yet been set for negotiations to begin.