Tens of thousands of supporters of Bahrain's Shiite-led opposition today poured into the streets of Manama calling for the government's downfall in the largest rally in more than a week of protests.
Tens of thousands of supporters of Bahrain's Shiite-led opposition today poured into the streets of Manama calling for the government's downfall in the largest rally in more than a week of protests.
Streets of the capital were clogged with protesters marching towards Pearl Square, the focal point of anti-regime protests, an AFP correspondent said.
Those leading the protest carried a large banner reading, "The march of loyalty to martyrs", while a poster strung from a bridge read in English, "No dialogue before the downfall of the ruling regime."
The banner carried by the crowd bore the photographs of seven "martyrs" killed by security forces, the last of whom succumbed to his wounds yesterday and was buried earlier today.
"The people want the fall of the regime," protesters chanted in unison, as they waved red-and-white Bahraini flags.
Women in black veils chanted slogans against Bahrain monarch Hamad bin Issa al-Khalifa.
"May your hands be paralysed, Hamad," they shouted.
"Down down Khalifa," the crowds chanted, condemning Prime Minister Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman, the uncle of king Hamad who has been in office since 1971 and who is widely despised by the Shiites.
The rally marked the first to be officially called for by political associations since protests started on February 14 in response to calls by cyber activists inspired by uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt.
Today's protest comes after pro-government Sunnis rallied in their thousands at a Manama mosque Monday evening pledging loyalty to the al-Khalifa family, and calling on protesters to answer an invitation by Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad to engage in wide-reaching dialogue.
The rally also comes a day after King Hamad bin Isaa al-Khalifa answered a crucial opposition demand by ordering the release of political prisoners and halting trial procedures against others.
Shiite opposition MP Abduljalil Khalil told AFP the prisoner release was an opposition demand so Crown Prince Salman could "prove his seriousness in calling for dialogue."
The Islamic National Accord Association (INAA) which is the main Shiite formation and controls 18 seats in the 40-member parliament, had demanded along with other opposition groups, the release of prisoners before considering the crown prince's call for dialogue.
INAA quit the parliament last week in protest at security forces opening fire on demonstrations, during which seven people were killed and scores injured.
The protester buried today, 20-year-old Redha Mohammed, died of his wounds on Monday after being shot by police three days earlier.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}