Bahrain Mirror - Reuters: U.S. Vice President Joe Biden, in a phone call with Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa, expressed "strong concerns regarding recent negative developments in Bahrain," the White House said in a statement on Friday.

Biden spoke to al-Khalifa on Thursday and "emphasized the importance of reducing ongoing tensions through dialogue and reconciliation with the opposition, and a commitment to reform," the statement said.