FEBRUARY 7, 2003

More from Bahrain

The Bahrain National Assembly will on Monday reconsider its opposition to the funding of a Formula 1 circuit in the country. The funding was rejected last week by the Parliament - one of the two houses in Bahrain's bi-cameral system of government. The plans are now being submiited to the other house, which is known as the Shura Council, and if this body agrees to the idea - which is highly likely - the question will then be put before the full National Assembly, which compromises the members of the Parliament and the Shura Council. The problem is that this will take some time as many members of the National Assembly are currently on a pilgrimage to Mecca. The government are worried that delays will lead to penalty clauses needing to be paid if the project is not completed on time in April next year. Work has already begun on the construction of the circuit but the schedule is very tight.