In Bahrain, thousands of citizens are camping at Pearl Square calling for sweeping political reforms in the country as eighteen Members of Parliament from opposition Al-Wefaq officially submitted their letter of resignation. A statement signed by the 18 MPs, said that they are no longer affiliated with this council, which did not lift a finger in front of killings. The 18 MPs of Shiite bloc Al-Wefaq, or the Islamic National Accord Association, make up the largest single bloc in the 40 member parliament. In an effort to ease the current political situation in the country, Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa has reshuffled his cabinet and announced a 25 per cent reduction in installments of the citizens’ monthly pay for their housing services provided by the government. Crown Prince Sheikh Salman bin Hamad al-Khalifa has already offered a national dialogue with the opposition, but formal talks have not yet started, as the opposition groups want to see a commitment to an elected government first. US President Barack Obama has expressed his support for the King of Bahrain's affirmed commitment to reform. Mr. Obama welcomed a cabinet reshuffle by King Hamad bin Issa al-Khalifa in which four ministers, including two royal family members, were replaced. The move followed two weeks of Shia protests against the Sunni-led regime. President Obama said he supported a national dialogue initiative led by Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad al-Khalifa in Bahrain. He urged that the process should be inclusive, non-sectarian and responsive to the people of the Gulf Kingdom.