The Secretary-General spoke over the telephone from Guatemala today with His Majesty King Hamad bin Issa Al Khalifa, King of the Kingdom of Bahrain. The Secretary-General expressed his deepest concern over reports of excessive and indiscriminate use of force by the security forces and police in Bahrain against unarmed civilians, including, allegedly, against medical personnel. The Secretary-General noted that such actions could be in breach of international humanitarian and human rights law. While urging maximum restraint, he underscored the solemn obligation of the security forces to protect civilian lives. He also strongly called for an open dialogue on genuine political, economic and social reform which alone could lead to sustained peace and stability in Bahrain.