Daily Tribune, Manama, Bahrain

Race declared success

Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa described the Bahrain Grand Prix as a “raging success.” The prince said the Formula One auto race on Sunday served to unify the country and that it did not recognize any sectarian or ethnic boundaries. The prince said the race proved to spectators across the world that Bahrain has the capacity to organize big international sports events and functions. (Editor’s note: The event was canceled last year because of security concerns. Shiite opposition groups this year sought to draw international attention from the race to their grievances against the Sunni monarchy.) Political reform

Bahrain’s king, Sheikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, asserted the government’s commitment to reform and reconciliation. The king said the government has taken several steps to ensure reforms “which will have to continue.” (Editor’s note: Dozens of people have been killed since antigovernment demonstrators began protesting in Bahrain in February 2011.)