Bahraini authorities allow independent newspaper Al-Wasat to resume operation after suspension

FILE - In this May 18, 2011, file photo, Mansour al-Jamri, former chief editor of the Bahraini opposition newspaper Al Wasat, arrives at the courthouse in Manama, Bahrain. The official Bahrain News Agency said in a brief statement issued Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015, that the suspension of the publication of the independent newspaper Al-Wasat. is "due to its violation of the law and repeated dissemination of information that affects national unity and the Kingdom's relationship with other countries." (AP Photo/Hasan Jamali, File) (The Associated Press)

MANAMA, Bahrain – Bahraini authorities say they will allow an independent newspaper in the Gulf kingdom to resume publishing days after ordering it temporarily suspended.

The Information Affairs Authority announced the lifting of the suspension against Al-Wasat late Saturday following discussions with the paper's management. The official Bahrain News Agency says the talks were "to rectify past legal and regulatory failings" and to secure commitments to "meet the necessary standards" in the future.

Authorities suspended the paper's publication late Thursday after finding it violated the law and spread information that affects national unity and the kingdom's international relations.

The paper was forced to temporarily halt operations in 2011 following anti-government protests dominated by the country's Shiite majority against the Sunni monarchy. Its co-founder, Karim Fakhrawy, died in police custody in April 2011.