We are taking the necessary steps... taking into account the new found trust between the people and their emir

Prime Minister Khalifa Al Khalifa

The immediate changes include the abolition of the State Security Court and special security laws which were used to crush the political unrest which has wracked the tiny island state in recent years.

Hundreds of activists have been sentenced by the court, which was set up in 1995 after an outbreak of unrest by the majority Shi'a Muslim population.

Assurances

The State Security Law was enacted in 1975 and has allowed the authorities to detent many hundreds of others for extended periods.

The measures come amid a new mood of optimism in Bahrain

"We are taking the necessary steps to abolish the State Security Law and the State Security Court, taking into account the new found trust between the people and their emir," said Prime Minister Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, at a televised cabinet meeting on Sunday.

The mainly Shi'a opposition withdrew its threat to call for a boycott of the referendum after the emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Issa Al Khalifa, released more than 900 political prisoners and gave assurances that the security law would be suspended.

More than 98% of those who voted backed the charter and the turnout was 90%, according to official figures.

Committee

A committee headed by Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa will be set up to implement the new principles of the charter, which includes the expansion of personal freedom and equal rights, the prime minister said.

Correspondents say there are concerns about the vagueness of the referendum and how much popular participation it actually guarantees while Sheikh Hamad will remain the final authority.

The opposition's original demands had been for the restoration of Bahrain's original democratic constitution and its short-lived elected parliament which were suspended by Sheikh Hamad's father in 1975.

In London, the exiled opposition Bahrain Freedom Movement welcomed the results of the referendum. It called for the authorities to continue the reforms and allowing political parties.