MANAMA, Bahrain (AP) — Bahrain's ruler declared his tiny Persian Gulf state a constitutional monarchy on Thursday and set legislative elections this year in bold steps toward bringing more democracy to the oil-rich region.
Sheik Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, 49, gave his royal assent to constitutional amendments that create a bicameral legislature. The king, however, appoints one of the houses, allowing him to control lawmaking — a provision that brought criticism from the opposition.
Sheik Hamad said he was "fulfilling his promise" and immediately called municipal elections May 9 and national legislative elections Oct. 24. Men and women will be allowed to vote and run for office.
"We are keen to resume democratic life as soon as possible for the glory of Bahrain, its prosperity and development," he said.
The amendments change Sheik Hamad's title to king from emir — a more traditional Arab title of royalty often translated as "commander" or "prince" — and officially change the country's name to the Kingdom of Bahrain.
This tiny island nation of 600,000 people between Saudi Arabia and Iran is a close U.S. ally and home to the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet.
— making its political stability important for the West. Since its independence from Britain in 1972 it has only been ruled by the Al Khalifa family.
During the mid-1990s, Shiite Muslims, who form a slight majority, staged a violent campaign for political reform, triggering a government crackdown. More than 40 people were killed in the unrest. The Al Khalifa ruling family hails from the mainstream Sunni branch of Islam.
After Sheik Hamad became ruler in 1999 on the death of his father, he released political prisoners, allowed exiles to return as the unrest subsided and began the process of democratization.
Opposition groups said the reforms fell short of their demands, but some said they were willing to cooperate.
Hassan Mushaima, deputy leader of the opposition Wefaq Islamic Society, said criticized the government's power to interfere in the legislative process. He said it was too early to tell whether opposition parties will take part in the elections.
But Mansoor al-Jamri, a former dissident, said he expects the opposition to cooperate and "work from within the system to correct what happened."
Bahrain's justice minister said the decision to turn the nation into a kingdom followed consultations with Arab and European constitutional experts.
"It has become appropriate for Bahrain to take its place among constitutional monarchies which have a democratic system that achieves the people's aspirations for progress," Sheik Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa said at the signing ceremony.
A referendum a year ago overwhelmingly backed a national charter calling for constitutional amendments for a constitutional monarchy with an elected parliament.
Sheik Hamad decreed a bicameral legislature, one body made up of experts appointed by the palace and the other elected by the people. Both have equal legislative powers, ensuring the king has his way.
Under the provisions, the king must also sign legislation passed by the houses, though it was not clear if he could refuse to do so.
Still, the constitutional changes put Bahrain on the road to democratic rule in a conservative region where political freedoms are limited.
Kuwait is currently the only Arab state in the Gulf with an elected legislature, but Kuwaiti women cannot run for office or vote. Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman and the United Arab Emirates are ruled by royal families with public input from appointed consultative councils.
Saudi Arabia is the only other Gulf country with a king. Other Gulf rulers hold titles of emir or sultan.
Gulf political analyst Abdul-Khaleq Abdulla, of the United Arab Emirates University at Al-Ain, said the Bahraini constitutional monarchy is an "advancement over the traditional emiri system," although both are hereditary.
In the emiri system, the emir holds ultimate power. In a constitutional monarchy, the constitution is the focus of power and politics, he told The Associated Press.
The kings of Saudi Arabia, Morocco and Jordan sent congratulatory messages to Sheik Hamad, while officials in Egypt offered their praise. Kuwait called the developments "a historic turning point" for Bahrain.