The Crown Prince of Bahrain believes this weekend's Formula One grand prix should go ahead, insisting the race will be a way of "celebrating our nation".
Speaking to journalists during Friday's practices sessions at the Sakhir circuit, Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa said cancelling the race would play into extemists' hands when he was more concerned about "building bridges".
"I think cancelling the race just empowers extremists," the Crown Prince said.
"For those of us who are trying to navigate a way out of this political problem, having the race allows us to build bridges across communities and get people working together."
The Crown Prince also stressed how important the race was to his country in economic terms.
"Political parties across the spectrum have welcomed the race. As far as I understand, it was a few politicians who made those comments, and it doesn't represent the entire British spectrum."
The Crown Prince was accompanied in the circuit paddock by F1's ringmaster, Bernie Ecclestone, who stressed he had no power to call off the race, effectively handing over responsibility for it to the Bahrain authorities.
"The national sporting authority in this country can call the race off. You can ask the FIA if they can."
However, Ecclestone did question the wisdom of holding the GP, suggesting to reporters it might have not have been such a good idea: "His Royal Highness was a little bit silly putting the race on, he's given the protestors an incredible platform to talk to all you guys."
Ecclestone also scoffed at the idea that the Bahrain government was using the race for political purposes and encouraged reporters to report on more pressing issues in other countries.
"Go to Syria and write about those things there because it's more important than here," the 81-year-old said.
The Crown Prince's and Ecclestone's comments were made as it became clear that some western journalists were being refused visas to enter Bahrain, such as Sky News Stuart Ramsay, who tweeted:
Journalist James Miller tweeted:
When asked if reporters had been refused entry to Bahrain, the Crown Prince did not deny that had happened but said it was not his responsbility.
"You'd have to ask the government on that point," he told the media, adding: "Personally, I feel that anyone who wants to come to the country should come."
The race weekend began on schedule but amidst worsening scenes of violence against pro-democracy protesters.
The Force India team said it would undertake "limited running" a second practice session on Friday because their staff refused to travel in the dark.
Team deputy principal Bob Fernley told Sky News it had rescheduled practice because "it wanted to make sure the crew were comfortable".
Four members of the team were caught up in scenes of violence on Thursday when a petrol bomb was thrown near close to their vehicle.
Two staff members from the British-based team have since travelled back to the UK.
Force India driver Nico Hulkenberg has questioned the decision to race, telling BBC Sport: "we shouldn't have been put in this position."
Speaking on a visit to Lancashire on Friday, David Cameron said it was "important that peaceful protests are allowed to go on" but added that "Bahrain is not Syria" and that there is a "process of reform" under way in the kingdom.
"This government backs that reform and wants to help promote that reform."
The shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said British drivers Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton should not take part in the controversial three-day event, which is expected to be beset by a wave of protests from pro-democracy campaigners.
Speaking on BBC's Question Time on Thursday, the shadow home secretary said: "It shouldn't go ahead, I don't think British drivers should go, I think the Formula One should not go ahead in Bahrain."
Meanwhile, Button has refused to become embroiled in the issue.
When asked about the situation, the McLaren driver said: "You are here interviewing me as a driver and that's exactly what I am going to talk about - motor racing. The outside issues, I'm not going to talk about."
Also speaking on Question Time, Respect MP George Galloway said the tracks of the Middle Eastern race circuit were "stained by the blood of the people who are asking for a vote". He said: "There is blood on the tracks and anyone who drives over then will never be forgiven."
In a recent report, Amnesty International said security forces were using excessive and unnecessary force against anti-government protesters.
The charity also said it was receiving ongoing reports of the torture and ill-treatment of demonstrators, who have been involved in ongoing clashes with police.
The Gulf state has braced itself for further violent demonstrations following months of political unrest.
Written across protest boards and shouted in the capital, the slogan of demonstrators in Manama is "don't race over our blood" while activists have vowed "three days of rage" after a number of demonstrators were arrested on Thursday and on Friday morning.