MANAMA, Bahrain, JULY 1 (AP/UNB) - Bahrain's top cleric has issued an appeal on the eve of reconciliation talks in the Gulf kingdom, urging Sunni rulers not to use the dialogue to marginalize the Shiite opposition, which they tried to crush earlier this year.

Sheik Isa Qassim's sermon reflects doubts over Bahraini king's efforts to draw the country's biggest Shiite block into the talks. The Al Wefaq party is to decide Friday whether it will join Saturday's talks.

Isa says an independent commission set up by the monarch to probe allegations that protesters' rights were violated during the unrest that erupted in February is a step "in the right direction."

He urged the rulers to talk to all opposition leaders, including those serving life sentences for their role in the protests.