King of Bahrain offers $2,650 bribe to all families to prevent protests

[link to english.aljazeera.net]

Ahead of protests planned to take place in Bahrain next week, the nation's king has said he will give 1,000 dinars ($2,650) to each Bahraini family.

Friday's announcement on state media came as the latest step that Sunni rulers have taken to appease the majority Shia public.

Activists have called for protests in Bahrain, starting from Monday, to demand political, social and economic reforms. The demonstrations will coincide with the tenth anniversary of Bahrain's constitution.

The Bahraini News Agency (BNA) reported that the financial concessions were to mark the anniversary of a national charter for reforms.

"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 to be paid to every Bahraini family," Friday's report on BNA said.