'"Bahrain will remain a nation of law, institutions, liberties and tolerance between different religions and cultures," AFP quoted the monarch as saying on Sunday in a speech marking the National Day.

King Hamad also praised the country’s "armed, security, and National Guard forces who are always ready" to ensure "security and stability."

As he made his speech in the capital, Saudi-backed regime forces fired tear gas and sound bombs to disperse anti-regime protests in several Shia villages. The demonstrators shouted slogans against the ruling Al Khalifa family and called for the resignation of the country's Prime Minister Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman al-Khalifa, the king's uncle who has retained his post for decades.'

Read more: Bahrain King Claims to Respect Liberties as Crackdown Continues