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		</div><p><a href="http://londonglossy.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/protesters-return-to-bahrain-square.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full" title="Bahraini protesters celebrate at the Pearl roundabout after the military pulled out in Manama, Bahrain (AP)" src="http://londonglossy.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/min-protesters-return-to-bahrain-square.jpg" alt="Bahraini protesters celebrate at the Pearl roundabout after the military pulled out in Manama, Bahrain (AP)"/></a></p>
<p>Thousands of singing and dancing protesters streamed back into Manama&#8217;s central Pearl Square after Bahrain&#8217;s leaders withdrew tanks and riot police following a bloody crackdown by security forces in the tiny monarchy.</p>
<p>The royal family, which was quick to use force earlier this week against demonstrators in the landmark square that has been the heart of the anti-government demonstrations, appeared to back away from further confrontation following international pressure from the West.</p>
<p>The demonstrators had sought to emulate successful uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt in attempting to bring political change to Bahrain, home to the US Navy&#8217;s 5th Fleet &#8211; the centrepiece of Washington&#8217;s efforts to confront Iranian military influence in the region.</p>
<p>Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, deputy supreme commander of the armed forces, appealed for calm and political dialogue in a brief address on state TV.</p>
<p>A leader of Al Wefaq, the Shi&#8217;ite opposition group, said the crown prince &#8220;did the right thing&#8221; by withdrawing security forces from the streets and letting people return to Pearl Square.</p>
<p>&#8220;The crown prince opened the door for dialogue because he prevented more killing from occurring and allowed people to demand their rights,&#8221; said the leader, Abdul-Jalil Khalil.</p>
<p>People circling through the square clapped, whistled and wept. Some wore white sheets symbolising their readiness for martyrdom, while others carried Bahraini flags, flowers and signs that said &#8220;Peaceful&#8221;.</p>
<p>&#8220;We are victorious!&#8221; they chanted as they marched back into the square that has been the headquarters for their revolt against the Sunni monarchy in the predominantly Shi&#8217;ite island nation. They also chanted: &#8220;The people want the removal of the regime.&#8221;</p>
<p>US President Barack Obama discussed the situation with King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, asking him to hold those responsible for the violence accountable. He said in a statement that Bahrain must respect the &#8220;universal rights&#8221; of its people and embrace &#8220;meaningful reform&#8221;.</p>
<p>British Foreign Secretary William Hague also expressed concern about &#8220;clearly unacceptable and horrifying&#8221; violence against demonstrators in Bahrain. He urged Bahraini authorities to hold accountable those responsible for deaths in the protests and to halt the intimidation of journalists.</p>
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