Sunni Islamists made gains in the second round of Bahrain's legislative elections as the Shiite opposition boosted earlier wins, giving the kingdom an Islamist-dominated parliament, results have indicated.
Saturday's second round ended with Islamists controlling 30 of parliament's 40 seats in the Gulf state. The Sunni Islamists are supporters of the government.
The Islamic National Accord Association (INAA) led by charismatic Shiite cleric Sheikh Ali Salman grabbed 16 seats in the first round of the elections on November 25.
On Saturday, the INAA won the 17th seat it had been certain to take in a constituency where two of its members faced off as independents, according to results announced on state television early Sunday.
According to AFP, the Sunni National Islamic Tribune Association, which represents the Muslim Brotherhood, clinched three mandates in the second round to regain the share of seven seats it held in the outgoing parliament. Its Salafi ally, the Assala (Authenticity) Association, won one more seat Saturday to claim a total of five mandates.
The Sunni Islamists' victories came mostly at the expense of liberals, only one of whom managed to enter parliament.
