Bahraini groups begin national dialogue

MANAMA, Bahrain - Talks between Bahrain's opposition and pro-government groups began on Saturday, aimed at healing deep rifts opened when the state's Sunni rulers crushed protests led by the majority Shiites earlier this year.

The opposition has expressed doubts about whether the national dialogue, decreed by King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa, can accomplish anything, noting that it only has 35 of the 300 seats at the bargaining table.

Across town, witnesses said some 500 protesters marched from nearby Shiite villages toward the Pearl roundabout, the epicenter of mass protests this year, and were dispersed by riot police using tear gas.