Bahrain king says foreign plot against Gulf foiled

Manama (AFP) - Bahrain went to the polls Saturday for its first legislative elections since a failed pro-democracy uprising in 2011, with the opposition boycotting the vote in the tiny Gulf monarchy.

Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa said a foreign plot against his kingdom had been foiled and thanked troops brought in from neighbouring countries to help end increasing unrest after weeks of protests.

Bahrain's King Hamad on Tuesday proclaimed a three-month state of emergency, a day after a Saudi-led military force entered the tiny island nation to help put down Shiite-led protests."Due to the ongoing circumstances in Bahrain ... King Hamad has announced a state of national emergency as of Tuesday for three months," state television said.The king had instructed the commander of the armed forces to restore order using the army, police forces, units of the National Guard and "any other force" if necessary, said the statement.

Bahrain has foiled a foreign plot to destabilize it, the country's king said Sunday.

Iranian media on Monday scoffed at Hollywood's awarding of its top honour to Ben Affleck's Iran hostage drama "Argo", branding it a "political" win while poking fun at US first lady Michelle Obama's surprise appearance at the Oscar ceremony.

Bahrain on Wednesday set up an independent committee of legal experts to investigate the bloody unrest during anti-regime protests in February and March, state news agency BNA reported.Ordered by King Hamad, the five-man panel will be chaired by Mahmud Sharif Bassiouni, an international expert in criminal law.

Bahraini security forces opened fire on anti-regime protesters in the capital, with reports of up to 55 wounded, after the army vowed "strict measures" to restore order after a deadly police raid.Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad al-Khalifa promised to open a national dialogue once calm returns, and soon after King Hamad formally announced that he had assigned him to start those discussions.US President Barack Obama Friday spoke to King Hamad and condemned violence by government forces.

Bahrain's King Hamad ordered Sunday an end to the state of emergency from June 1st, after it was declared in mid-March to tackle a month-long Shiite-led protest demanding political reforms, state media said.