The United States on Monday urged restraint in Bahrain amid reports that Gulf countries were sending troops to help restore order after weeks of mass protests against the government, dpa reported.
The troops were being sent by the Gulf Cooperation Council, which includes Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, United Arab Emirates and Oman, as well as Bahrain. Since the protests erupted in Bahrain, the US has called on authorities to not use violence.
"We urge all of our GCC partners to show restraint and to respect the rights of the people of Bahrain and to act in a way that supports dialogue instead of undermining it," White House spokesman Jay Carney said.
Bahrain is a close US ally in the region and hosts the headquarters for the US Navy's Fifth Fleet. Bahrain had asked its neighbours for help.