Bahrain’s king gives 3000 dollars to every family
MANAMA, Bahrain - February 14, 2011 - Bahrain's king has ordered that each family in the tiny Gulf monarchy be given $3,000 to mark the 10th anniversary of a national charter for reforms, state news agency BNA said on Friday.
"On the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the National Action Charter and as a sign of appreciation for the people of Bahrain who have approved it, King Hamad bin Issa al-Khalifa has ordered 1,000 dinars (3,000 dollars) to be paid to every Bahraini family," BNA reported.
The decision came as cyber activists called for protests in Bahrain starting from Monday to demand political, social and economic reforms.
In a February 2001 referendum, Bahrainis approved a national charter for reform, which restored a parliament dissolved in 1975, and in February 2002, Bahrain became a kingdom ruled by a constitutional monarchy.
Bahrain's government has announced measures to support food prices and help families in need, as revolts in Egypt and Tunisia, sparked by poverty and unemployment, led to the ouster of both regimes.
Bahrain, with a population of around 568,000 people, is considered the poorest among its oil-rich Gulf neighbours and its crude reserves have virtually dried up.
