Bahrain opposition leader detained in Lebanon

BEIRUT: A Bahraini opposition leader pardoned by the king in his country of terrorism-related charges has been detained in Lebanon while travelling to Manama from Britain, a judicial official said Thursday.

Hassan Mashaima was arrested Tuesday at Beirut airport based on an arrest warrant issued by Interpol, the official, who requested anonymity, told AFP.

"He was detained on order of the prosecutor general," he said.       He added that when Mashaima was questioned, he pointed out that he was among several opposition figures pardoned earlier this week by the king of Bahrain.

The official said that Lebanese authorities were seeking legal documents proving Mashaima had been pardoned.

"When we receive these documents, we will act accordingly," he said.

Mashaima was among 25 men charged in Bahrain in October with forming an illegal organisation, engaging in and financing terrorism and spreading false and misleading information.

Jassem Hussein, an MP with Bahrain's opposition Islamic National Accord Association, which resigned from the 40-strong parliament earlier this month, told AFP on Wednesday that 23 of the Shia activists had been released from prison following the king's pardon.

Mashaima, leader of the Haq movement, and Said al-Shihabi, secretary general of the Freedom Islamic Movement, had been tried in absentia.

Mashaima was in Britain on a trip for medical treatment when the charges were brought against the group. Shihabi is also staying in Britain.

King Hamad bin Issa al-Khalifa's pardon came in response to demands by protesters who are pushing for the replacement of the Khalifa dynasty with a "real" constitutional monarchy.

Bahraini authorities have called for national dialogue to find a way out of the deadlock.