Al-Wefaq welcomes US President comments on Bahrain

In a speech to the U.N. General Assembly on Tuesday, Obama mentioned "efforts to resolve sectarian tensions that continue to surface in places like Iraq, Bahrain and Syria".

While the remarks angered Bahrainis state officials, created some strong reaction from the royals, it emboldened the opposition, most particularly al-Wefaq as it has been lobbying for reforms and change against al-Khalifa.
 
On its website, al-Wefaq welcomed the US president's comments, noting that after two years of a peaceful struggle the people of Bahrain want nothing better than to see achieve their democratic dream.
 
After over two years of abuse and repression al-Wefaq said it is time for the international community to play its role and promote a healthy, open and peaceful dialogue in between Bahrain's many factions as to reach a consensus which would be beneficial to the people and promote a stronger sense of community.
 
The relationship between Bahrain and the United States has seen strains in the past. Bahrain provides a Gulf base for the U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet, but has also been criticized over its record for human rights.
 
Earlier this year, a U.S. State Department report said the government had failed to implement the most important recommendations made in an independent inquiry that looked at how Bahrain had handled the 2011 unrest.
 
The State Department report was rejected by the government and Bahraini lawmakers urged the government to stop the U.S. ambassador in Bahrain from "interfering in domestic affairs".