Bahrain Mirror (Exclusive): Bahrain's Prime Minister Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa declared on Sunday (February 28, 2015) naming a street in the Bahraini capital Manama after the late Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Saud Al-Faisal in recognition of his pivotal role and support for the ruling Al Khalifa family against the popular protests that sought to put an end to Al Khalifa's monopoly over the power.

A main avenue in Juffair, Manama, was named "Al-Faisal" in the presence of the Saudi King Advisor, Khalid Al-Faisal, and former head of intelligence Turki Al-Faisal.

Salman, who has been a Prime Minister for 45 years, considered that the naming of the street is a message of gratitude and appreciation to the late prince for the courage he showed by supporting and defending Bahrain's interests under all circumstances.

The Bahraini Foreign Minister Khalid Al Khalifa also said that "Al-Faisal crossed the world for the sake of defending Bahrain."

As for former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, she said in her diaries: "With the entrance of the Saudi troops to Bahrain in the mid of March 2011 and the King of Bahrain declaring a state of emergency, I spoke with the Saudi Foreign Minister and urged him to hold off using force to clear the protesters."

"I told him: just give (Jeffrey Feltman) a little more time to make negotiations work. Even twenty-four hours might make a difference. We were close to a deal with the major Shiite political party to pull back from the key areas of the city in exchange for the government affirming the right to peaceful protest and starting a good-faith dialogue," Clinton added.

She further stated that "Saud al-Faisal was implacable. The protesters needed to go home and let normal life resume, he said. Only then could we talk about a deal. He blamed Iran for stirring up trouble and supporting radicals. It was time to end the crisis and return stability to the Gulf, he said."

Arabic Issue