MANAMA, Aug 26 (GDN): Police are hunting two masked men who attacked the managing editor of a Bahrain newspaper in Riffa yesterday. Muhannad Abu Zeitoun, who works for the Arabic publication Al Watan, was leaving the office for home when he was targeted at around 3am.

The Palestinian, 31, suffered a shoulder injury after being stabbed with a sharp object and his car was also set on fire.

Interior Minister Shaikh Rashid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa strongly condemned the criminal attempt to assassinate Mr Zeitoun.

"The murder attempt is an act of terror aimed at muzzling voices, endangering Press freedom, undermining security and stability and threatening people's lives", he said.

He stressed the importance of His Majesty King Hamad's reform project in asserting the national role of the fourth estate, being a key platform to express opinion, promote dialogue in the framework of laws that warrant the freedom of responsible opinions and writings that align with national causes.

"Resorting to violence to muzzle honest and credible voices would derail the democratic march and sap public liberties," he said.

Shaikh Rashid also vowed zero-tolerance in enforcing regulations on law-breakers and instigators, describing the protection of freedom of opinion as a constitutional duty.

He ordered security forces to track down the perpetrators and put them on trial to face charges for their sordid crime for Bahrain to remain forever the country of freedom and justice.