Bahrain's main Shi'ite Muslim opposition group says it will boycott a special parliamentary election scheduled for next month.

A senior official said Friday the Al-Wefaq National Islamic Society will not participate in the September 24 election called to replace the 18 Al-Wefaq lawmakers who resigned in February to protest a crackdown on anti-government

demonstrators.

Bahrain, home to the U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet, was rocked by the protests that broke out in February and lasted for a month.

The demonstrations, led by the country's Shi'ite Muslim majority, were suppressed after the nation's Sunni ruling family declared a state of emergency and invited troops from neighboring Gulf states to help restore order.

More than 30 people died during the unrest.