Obama condemns violence against peaceful protesters in Arab

Lalit K Jha

Washington, Feb 18 (PTI) US President Barack Obamatoday condemned the use of violence by security forces againstpeaceful pro-democracy protesters in Bahrain, Libya and Yemen,and asked the governments in these countries to showrestraint.

"I am deeply concerned by reports of violence inBahrain, Libya and Yemen. The United States condemns the useof violence by governments against peaceful protesters inthose countries and wherever else it may occur," Obama said ina statement.

"We express our condolences to the family and friendsof those who have been killed during the demonstrations.

Wherever they are, people have certain universal rightsincluding the right to peaceful assembly," he said.

"The United States urges the governments of Bahrain,Libya and Yemen to show restraint in responding to peacefulprotests, and to respect the rights of their people," Obamasaid.

There was a new outburst of violence in Yemen, Bahrainand Libya, where dozens of people have died so far inanti-regime protests.