Sakhir, Bahrain - Ferrari boss Stefano Domenicali Friday backed record Formula One champion Michael Schumacher as "part of our team" following criticism of the German's advisory role.

Schumacher, who retired in 2006 after winning seven championship titles, had come under fire from former world champion Niki Lauda and others for the team's failed strategies in the opening two races of the season.

Schumacher did not attend last week's Chinese Grand Prix when Ferrari was again out of the points, and was not planning to be at the Bahrain Grand Prix on Sunday.

Sakhir, Bahrain - Lewis Hamilton led from Nick Heidfeld and Robert Kubica as McLaren-Mercedes and BMW Sauber got a much-needed boost on Friday in the first practice session for the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix.

The world champion Hamilton posted 1 minute 33.647 points for the 5.451-kilometres lap on the Bahrain International Circuit in his McLaren.

Germany's Heidfeld and Kubica of Poland drove their BMWs to 1:33.907 and 1:33.938, seconds, respectively.

Manama, Bahrain  - Bahrain's local economy benefited to the tune of 600 million dollars as a result of its hosting of the 2008 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix, according to figures released on Saturday by the country's investment arm.

Mumtalakat Holdings Company, which owns Bahrain International Circuit (BIC), said the figure represented a 9 per cent increase from the 2007 revenues.

The company said the 2008 race, for the first time in its six-year history, drew nearly 100,000 spectators and corporate guests over the course of its three days.

Rabat- A diplomatic row has erupted between Morocco and Iran over Tehran's alleged questioning of Bahrain's independence, with Rabat recalling its diplomatic representative to Tehran for a week of consultations, Moroccan press reported Thursday.

Moroccan Foreign Minister Tayib Fassi Fihri informed Iran's ambassador that Morocco had been surprised over being singled out for Iranian protests after showing solidarity with Bahrain.

Manama, Bahrain - The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) on Tuesday accused Iran of "unfriendly and aggressive" behaviour towards the Gulf states, in a row over three disputed islands.

The row centres on the three islands of Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb, and Abu Musa, in the southern Gulf, which have been under Iranian control since 1992, but are also claimed by the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Manama, Bahrain - The trial of 35 men charged with allegedly taking part in a foiled bombing terror plot last December in Bahrain opened in Manama on Monday - but was immediately postponed for one month.

The Criminal High Court was placed under heavy police guard for the opening hearing, amid skirmishes between police and relatives of the suspects after most of the families were denied access to the court.

The 35 suspects are accused under anti-terrorism legislation of conspiring to overthrow the Bahraini government and taking part in an alleged plot to detonate homemade explosives at a public celebration.