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Bahrain's king approves parliamentary reforms that safeguard the government's dominance of the upper house, falling short of opposition demands. The move comes on the heels of a pro-democracy crackdown in February and March. Here's more.

Bahrain's king has approved parliamentary reforms on Thursday. The move follows a suppression of pro-democracy protests.

The reforms give more powers of scrutiny to the elected lower house. But most of the power stays in the upper house, which is appointed by the royal elite.

King Hamad bin Isa made a televised address to the National Dialogue, set up to address popular grievances.

The assembly presented its final proposals on reforms.

They fell far short of what opposition groups and protesters demanded in February and March, when the unrest was crushed.

The country's largest Shi'ite opposition group, Wefaq, walked out of the dialogue last week, calling it a "theatre".

[King Hamad bin Isa, Bahrain King]:
"We have ordered the executive and legislative authorities to take the necessary measures to approve the agreements."

The king also ordered a pay rise for civilian and military government employees.

Saudi Arabia made a similar move earlier this year in a bid to prevent a popular revolt like those that have shaken other authoritarian Arab states this year.

Bahrain has tried to address international criticism, including from Washington, of a harsh security crackdown following pro-democracy protests.

The crackdown saw detentions, military trials, sackings and some deaths in custody.

The International Crisis Group think-tank issued a bleak report on Thursday saying a re-eruption of civil unrest was possible at any time in Bahrain. Hardliners among Sunnis, Shi'ites and the ruling elite are preparing for yet more conflict.