Bahrain police fire tear gas to disperse Shi'ites: witnesses | Reuters

The island country has been volatile since majority Shi'ite Muslims began protesting last year against what they say is widespread discrimination, a charge the Sunni-led government denies.

Shi'ite leaders had called for people to turn out to support Sheikh Issa Qassim in his village of Diraz, west of the capital Manama, after the government warned clerics not to criticize the government or incite violence.

Bahraini authorities were not immediately available to comment on Friday. But the call for mass prayers appeared to flout a ban on rallies and protests announced by the interior ministry last month.

Riot police prevented media and non-residents from reaching Diraz on Friday morning, blocking off all roads and highways. Some arrests were made, witnesses said.


Bahrain police fire tear gas to disperse Shi'ites: witnesses | Reuters