国际英语新闻:U.S. "concerned" about Bahrain's ban on main opposition group

WASHINGTON, Oct. 28 (Xinhua) -- The United States on Tuesday voiced concern about Bahrain's suspension of all activities of a main Shiite opposition group.

"We are concerned by today's decision of the administrative court in Bahrain to suspend the activities of Al Wefaq National Islamic Society for three months on technical grounds," State Department spokeswoman Jennifer Psaki told reporters at a daily news briefing.

"Such a move runs contrary to fostering an environment of political inclusion," she said, adding Washington was following the case "closely."

Earlier in the day, the High Administrative Court in Bahrain ordered that all activities of Al Wefaq be halted for three months, as the Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments Ministry filed a lawsuit against it in July, accusing it of failing to hold party meetings in a transparent and open way as required under the law.

Earlier in October, five main opposition groups, led by Al Wefaq, announced their intent to boycott the parliamentary elections slated for Nov. 22. They said the government was not taking "genuine" reconciliation efforts after the 2011 protests against the Sunni monarchy.

The kingdom has been plagued by waves of protests, sabotage and attacks on police since February 2011, as the majority Shiites are unhappy with the Sunni royal family's slowness in promoting reforms.

Bahrain is a U.S. ally in the volatile Middle East and has long provided a base for the U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet.

Psaki acknowledged that the U.S. has differences with Bahrain, including on human rights.

She also said Washington was "disappointed" by the opposition's decision to boycott the upcoming parliamentary elections. "We've urged broad participation in Bahrain's upcoming parliamentary elections as an important and public means of demonstrating inclusiveness," she explained.