EU urges 'right to assemble' in Bahrain

(BRUSSELS) - The European Union on Tuesday urged "utmost restraint" in Bahrain after the dispatch of Gulf troops and called on security forces to respect the "right to assemble peacefully".

"We're very concerned by reports of serious violence in the streets in Bahrain," said a spokeswoman for EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton.

"We call on all sides to exercise utmost restraint and calm to avoid further turmoil," added Maja Kocijancic.

"We also call on the security forces present to respect human rights and fundmaental freedoms including the right to assemble freely and peacefully," she added.

The EU believed dialogue was the only way forward to resolve the crisis, the spokeswoman said, calling for "serious and constructive dialogue without delay."

Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, which along with Bahrain and Kuwait are members in the six-state Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), have sent troops to Bahrain to help the regime control Shiite-led protesters.

The main Shiite opposition alliance says it wants a constitutional monarchy but more radical Shiite groups have said they are protesting to topple the Sunni dynasty that has ruled the country for more than 200 years.