"Bahrain's stance towards Hezbollah is regretful," foreign ministry spokesman Abbas Araqchi said at his weekly press conference.

Bahrain, which has been engaging in a brutal crackdown on pro-democracy protests since 2011, banned opposition groups from all contact with Hezbollah.

Araqchi said Hezbollah has an undeniable role in ensuring Lebanon's security and stability and said Bahrain is "deflecting its domestic problems on foreign groups”.

The move which makes more excuses for the Al Khalifa regime to put more pressure over opposition activists, is also seen aimed at appealing its close allies, US and Israeli regime.

The uprising in Bahrain began in mid-February 2011, when the people, inspired by the popular revolutions that toppled the dictators of Tunisia and Egypt, started holding massive demonstrations.

Bahraini government promptly launched a brutal crackdown on the peaceful protests and called in Saudi-led Arab forces from neighboring states.
 

Dozens of people have been killed in the crackdown, and the security forces have arrested hundreds, including doctors and nurses accused of treating injured revolutionaries.

A report published by the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry in November 2011 found that the Al Khalifa regime had used excessive force in the crackdown and accused Manama of torturing political activists, politicians, and protesters.

Bahrainis say they will continue holding demonstrations until their demand for the establishment of a democratically elected government is met.