Bahrain's king orders end to emergency law

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates -- Bahrain's king set a fast-track timetable to end martial law-style rule yesterday in a bid to display confidence that authorities have smothered a pro-reform uprising, even as rights groups denounced the hard-line measures.

The announcement to lift emergency rule two weeks early on June 1 came just hours after the start of a closed-door trial accusing activists of plotting to overthrow the Gulf state's rulers.

The decision appears part of Bahrain's international campaign to reassure financial markets and win back high-profile events. They include the coveted Formula One Grand Prix race that was canceled in March amid deadly clashes and protests by the country's majority Shia, who are seeking greater rights and freedoms.

But the massive crackdown has come at a high price in the strategic island nation, which hosts the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet.

At least 30 people have been killed since the protests began in February, inspired by revolts against autocratic leaders in Tunisia and Egypt. But tiny Bahrain also carries a volatile demographic mix. Shia account for about 70 percent of the population, but claim widespread discrimination and are denied top posts in the government and security forces.

Tensions in the Gulf have soared between Shia power Iran and the Sunni Arab rulers backing Bahrain. Iran has sharply condemned the three-month emergency rule imposed March 15 just as a 1,500-strong Saudi-led force arrived in Bahrain to support the monarchy. Gulf leaders, in turn, have strongly warned Iran to halt meddling in their affairs.

Meanwhile, watchdog groups -- including the top UN rights agency -- have accused Bahraini authorities of overstepping their bounds with closed-door trials and mass detentions of hundreds of protesters, activists and others. A major America labor organization, the AFL-CIO, is asking Washington to withdraw from a free-trade pact with Bahrain as punishment for pressuring Shia-led unions.

U.S. officials have tried to straddle two objectives: rapping Bahrain's leaders for violence and urging for reforms, but making sure there are no serious cracks in one of Washington's most important military alliances in the Gulf.

The declaration to remove the emergency rule gave no details of what would take its place, including whether the nighttime curfew would end or whether the numerous checkpoints would be dismantled. Last month, Bahrain's foreign minister said the Saudi-led reinforcements would remain as long as there are perceived threats from Iran.