Bahrain cracks down on Iran agents buying land

WORLD TRIBUNE.COM
Tuesday, February 13, 2007

ABU DHABI — Bahrain has launched an effort to block an Iranian takeover of the Gulf Arab kingdom.

Officials have drafted a series of regulations meant to prevent Iranian agents from spreading Teheran's influence in the Gulf Cooperation Council state. They said the regulations were designed to block Iran from purchasing property through Shi'ite supporters in Bahrain.

The focus of the Bahraini effort has been the province of Muharraq. Officials said Iranian agents have been purchasing property from the minority Sunni community in a trend that has alarmed the government.

Sixty percent of Bahrain's population is comprised of Shi'ites, Middle East Newsline reported. During elections in November 2006, Sunnis and other loyal to King Hamad managed to retain nominal control of parliament. More....