Bahrain peace talks begin

Bahrain’s Sunni rulers have started reconciliation talks with the opposition after four months of Shiite-led protests for greater rights and harsh crackdowns on dissent in the strategic Gulf kingdom.

Washington has strongly pushed for dialogue in the tiny island nation, which hosts the US Navy’s 5th Fleet.

The Sunni monarchy has made token concessions ahead of the talks, including sanctioning an international investigation that will probe into the conduct of security forces during the revolt.

Bahrain’s biggest Shiite party, Al Wefaq, decided at the last minute to join the government-led talks, which started today in a convention centre in the capital, Manama.

Hundreds of protesters remain in prison and eight opposition leaders are serving life sentences.