Shiite Group Claims Responsibility for Bombing

MANAMA, BAHRAIN: A bomb blast ripped through the lobby of the Diplomat Hotel in the capital of this small Persian Gulf nation on Sunday evening, injuring at least 4 people. The Islamic Front for the Liberation of Bahrain, a radical Shiite group claimed responsibility for the bombing and threatened more attacks after the holy days of Ramadan end next week. Bahrani officials accused the Shiite Iranian government of sponsoring the bombing and encouraging terrorism, but the Iranians denied the charge. The attack is part of the Front's campaign against the Al Khalifa royal family which represents the emirate's ruling Sunni muslim minority. Tens of thousands of the oil-rich emirate's Shiite majority are poor and unemployed, and demand restoration of the suspended parliament, freedom of speech, job opportunities and the release of political prisoners.