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Egypt revolution now plays out in Bahrain

Last updated on: February 16, 2011 13:05 IST

Thousands of protesters gather at Pearl Roundabout in the heart of the Bahraini capital Manama

Egypt-inspired anti-government protesters continue to throng a prominent square in Bahrain's capital on Wednesday, despite a rare apology by the king for deaths of two demonstrators in police firing in the last two days.

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Egypt revolution now plays out in Bahrain

Last updated on: February 16, 2011 13:05 IST

People carry the body of a protester killed during a protest on Monday, as they gather at a Shi'ite village cemetery in Sanabis

The protesters, seeking political reforms and better human rights in the kingdom, are refusing to disperse from the the square in Manama, after two days of violent clashes and an assurance by the monarch "to investigate the killings", local media reports said.

Egypt revolution now plays out in Bahrain

Last updated on: February 16, 2011 13:05 IST

Protesters take to the streets in Manama

King Sheikh Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa made a rare television appearance on Tuesday in which he expressed his condolences for "the deaths of two of our dear sons" and said that a panel would probe into the deaths of the demonstrators.

"We will ask legislators to look into this issue and suggest needed laws to resolve it," the King said, adding that peaceful protests were legal.

Egypt revolution now plays out in Bahrain

Last updated on: February 16, 2011 13:05 IST

A protester collapses after inhaling tear gas during a demonstration in Manama

The United States said it was "very concerned" by the violence in protests in Bahrain and urged all sides to exercise restraint.

"The United States is very concerned by recent violence surrounding protests in Bahrain. We also call on all parties to exercise restraint and refrain from violence," PJ Crowley, the US State Department spokesman, said.

Egypt revolution now plays out in Bahrain

Last updated on: February 16, 2011 13:05 IST

Bahrain youths demonstrate in front of the police in Manama

Bahrain, a small island kingdom in the Gulf, has little oil resource of its own, but it is home to a thriving regional banking and financial-services sector, and hosts the US Fifth Fleet, the naval command in charge of Persian Gulf.

Thousands of protesters have taken to the streets of the tiny kingdom since Monday, inspired by the uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt. One person was killed on Wednesday when police fired at a group of protesters holding a funeral procession for a man killed during protests a day earlier.