Two dead as police break up protest camp in Bahrain
By Ria Novosti
Police in the Bahrain capital of Manama killed at least two people on Thursday when they dispersed demonstrations inspired by recent coups in Egypt and Tunisia.
Thousands of mainly Shi’ite protesters have been camped out on Manama’s central square for three days demanding more political representation in a country ruled over by a Sunni Muslim monarchy.
Reports said police arrived on Pearl Square during the night, while many of the protesters were asleep and began using rubber bullets and tear gas to break up the camp.
“I was there… The men were running away, but the women and kids could not run as easily, some are still inside (the square),” opposition parliamentarian Ibrahim Mattar told the Reuters news agency.
Mattar’s Shi’ite opposition Wefaq party, which has walked out of parliament, on Wednesday demanded a new constitution that would steer the country towards democracy.
